Alpha Eritrean Engineers Magazine

FEBRUARY 2018
VOL 8 NO. 1

ORTHOPAEDIC IMPLANTS AND THEIR CURRENT STATUS

CARBON CAPTURE & STORAGE TECHNOLOGY MITIGATING

GLOBAL WARMING
SMART GRID PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

AEEC | October 2011 e AEEC

1
 EDITORS
CONTENTS AND CONTRIBUTORS SEBLE GEBREMEDHIN, M.S. IN PSYCHOLOGY

ORTHOPAEDIC IMPLANTS AND THEIR DR. ADIAM WOLDEGERGISH, PH.D IN

CURRENT STATUS MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
BY FEVEN M. MICHAEL SAMUEL FESSEHAYE, B.A. IN ELECTRICAL
ENGINEERING
CARBON CAPTURE & STORAGE TECHNOLOGY
MITIGATING GLOBAL WARMING FILIPOS ABRAHAM, M.S, IN SOFTWARE
BY ABDURAHIM ABDULKADIR ENGINEERING AND

SMART GRID PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES YOSIEF WOLDEMARIAM, B.A. IN ELECTRICAL

ENGINEERING
BY ADULIS ABUN

AEEC | February 2017 1

 STRIVING
FOR EXCELLENCE
ON EVERY STEP TAKEN

Bone implants are materials developed to perform in the body as

devices able to support and induce bone repair. They are fabricated
from biomaterials such as polymers, ceramics, metals and their
composites. Thus, highlighting the role biomaterials play in improving
the quality of human life and prolonging life in general. However, it is
important to note that the choice of biomaterial depends on the bone to
be repaired or restored.

AEEC | February 2018 2

A
E ORTHOPAEDIC IMPLANTS AND THEIR CURRENT STATUS
E
M Greetings to my fellow Eritreans… to those who was reported to have increased from less than 45
~ might not know me, my name is Feven Mattews years in 1950 to more than 74 years (U.S.
A Michael and have been a member of AEEM since
department of health and human service). This
E
2012. Few years ago, I was fortunate enough to can be credited to the continuous improvement in
E
M acquire a scholarship from the University of the human healthcare provided nowadays,
~ Nottingham to pursue my PhD in Chemical especially with the development of devices such as
A Engineering. The focus of my research was to find pacemakers, heart valves, aortic grafts and
E suitable biomaterials that can potentially be used endovascular stent grafts and many more.
E for bone implant applications. By the end of my Nonetheless, with respect to the human bones,
M research, I managed to develop nanocomposite that this worldwide increase of human average age has
~ met the mechanical strength and biocompatibility raised the likelihood of the bones to fracture; to an
A requirements of natural bones. Subsequently, average of twice in a lifetime. This is because with
E contributing to the current body of knowledge for aging, bones, particularly the load-bearing bones
E developing bone implants. Currently, I am like spine, hips and knee bones become prone to
M extremely interested in obtaining a postdoctoral ailments. As a result, an increasing interest within
~ position, where I can work on biomaterials and the biomedical field, especially within the
A tissue engineering related research. That being orthopaedic sector, to develop bone implants has
E said, today I have prepared a short article arisen.
E regarding what bone implants are and why we need
M them desperately in our lives. Hope you get to enjoy During the past few years, one technology trend
~ reading it. that has been continuously brought to the
A
discussion table is Artificial Intelligence (AI) as
E
E comprehended through Machine Learning. It was
M hyped up with the release of products that are
~ driven by the science of this technology.
A Remarkable applications of machine learning
E include autonomous cars, smart assistants,
E intelligent robots and workforce automation
M systems. This article begins by defining machine
~ learning and then delves into discussing currently
A trending aspects, future prospects and associated
E concerns that are related to these phenomena.
E
M Bone implants are materials developed to perform
~ in the body as devices able to support and induce
A bone repair. They are fabricated from
E In the 20th century, the average life expectancy biomaterials such as polymers, ceramics, metals
E
M

AEEC | February 2018 3

A and their composites. Thus, highlighting the role stress shielding and also the elimination of the ion
E biomaterials play in improving the quality of release problem of metal implants. Hence,
E human life and prolonging life in general. nowadays researchers are investigating ways to
M However, it is important to note that the choice of overcome their individual limitations by
~ biomaterial depends on the bone to be repaired or formulating a nanocomposite with the right
A restored. For instance, load bearing bones, combination of polymer and ceramic that could
E ligaments and articular cartilage require scaffolds meet not only the biocompatibility requirement,
E that are capable of withstanding stresses. Also, but also the strength required for the load bearing
M another factor that can determine the choice of implants. Therefore, up to date, many researchers
~ biomaterial is the interaction between the have managed to successfully develop
A biomaterial and the human body. This means that, nanocomposites that met the initial requirements
E the biomaterial is required to be biocompatible i.e. mechanical strength and biocompatibility
E
with the body and be able to encourage bone requirements of the natural load bearing bones.
M
healing or growth. So far, the biomaterials
~
A favoured for load bearing bone implants were
E prepared from metal-ceramic or metal-polymer
E due to the high strength of the metals.
M Nevertheless, considering the drawbacks of metal-
~ polymer and metal-ceramic implants (i.e. fatigue
A and corrosion related), the need for an improved
E novel biomaterial (polymers, ceramics or
E combination of both) has attracted the attention of
M many researchers.
~
A Individually, polymers have been used
E successfully in different medical related
E applications (pacemakers, heart valves and
M contact lenses), due to their ability to adapt to the
~ biological environment (human body).
A Nonetheless, their strength has limited them for
E
the load bearing implants related applications.
E
M
Similarly, even though ceramics are bioactive
materials with bone bonding ability, they also
~
A possess low tensile strength and fracture
E toughness, limiting their use in bulk form for load
E bearing implants. Yet, the combination of these
M two biomaterials (polymers and ceramics) is
~ becoming the new choice for bone implant as it
A offers the advantages of avoiding the problem of During my PhD period, I interestingly developed
E
E
M

AEEC | February 2018 4

A nanocomposite from three biomaterials; poly-lactic
E acid (PLA), nanohydroxyapatite (NHA) and
E graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), which can potentially
M be used for applications related to bone implants. In
~ this work, initially I had to synthesise the NHA
A (ceramic) that mimicked the properties of
E hydroxyapatite present in the human bone through
E precipitation method. In addition, in order to
M improve the interfacial adhesion between the
~ hydrophilic nanofiller (NHA) and the hydrophobic
A polymer matrix (PLA), the NHA was surface
E modified using 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane
E (APTES), i.e. mNHA (APTES).
M
~ This led to the increase of tensile strength of the
A PLA-mNHA(APTES) nanocomposite by 10 MPa
E compared to the PLA-NHA. Moreover, I conducted
E in-vitro analysis to aid in the biocompatibility
M studies of the prepared nanocomposites. This was
~ determined based on their ability to attach with
A MG63 cell; thus allowing the cells to proliferate, and
E enhance their ability to differentiate. Hence, through
E the observation of the FESEM images of the cells-
M nanocomposites, as well as results of the MTT and
~ ALP assays, the PLA-mNHA(APTES) nanocomposites
A were confirmed to be biocompatible with the cells.
E The findings of this study suggested that the
E developed nanocomposite met the mechanical balancing the bone healing rate with the
M strength and biocompatibility requirements of the degradation rate of the bone implant. The advantage
~ natural bones. Subsequently, contributing to the of using biodegradable and biocompatible polymers
A current body of knowledge for developing bone is their ability to alter the chemical properties in
E implants. From the results obtained during this order to adjust the degradation rate from weeks to
E research, five journal papers have been published in years. In addition, the bone implants degrade via de-
M reputable journals. esterification process, whereby the end products are
~ removed in form of carbon dioxide and water from
A In conclusion, though researchers have managed to the body. Thus, the biodegradation rate of the 3D
E develop polymer-ceramic composites that meets the printed bone implant can also be studied. Which is
E initial requirements of bone implants, it does not why, the next goal of any researcher working on
M mean it can be implemented yet. This is because, bone implants is finding the balance without
~ developing a successful bone implant is also about affecting mechanical properties.
A
E ~ Dr. Feven M. Michael, CE
E
M

AEEC | February 2018 5

 Comments & Suggestions
Page

You guys at AEEM are doing great job. Your association reminds
me the old Eritrean engineers and architects association back
home. I hope one day your umbrella of coverage goes global and
reach us in Norway. Good job once again absolutely wonderful to
see yet another great online Alpha Eritrean Engineers Magazine.
This is another milestone achieved in the history of the
Magazine.
Engineer Mahta K. Mebrahtu

Congratulations Yosief for releasing the latest volume of the

Magazine. Kudos to you and your team!!

Engineer Abiel Woldu

Congrat, this is great!

Manager Eden Tekeste

ALPHA ERITREAN ENGINEERS

AEEC | February 2018 6

 “It is my firm belief
that it is every man’s
obligation to put back
into the world at least
the equivalent of what
he takes out of it and
so in this rapidly
progressing world,
higher knowledge,
wider exposure to
practical experience,
and involvement in
more extensive
research are essential
to the development of
a well-rounded
engineer.”

AEEC | February 2018 7

A
E
E CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE TECHNOLOGY FOR MITIGATING GLOBAL WARMING
M
~ First of all, it gives me immense pleasure to express equipment’s. Working for four years as a graduate
A my sincere appreciation to the Alpha Eritrean assistant in the chemical engineering department
E Engineers Community (AEEC). Thank you for equipped me with the practical and tangible
E dedicating your precious time in order to open a knowledge that I require for my postgraduate
M horizon for all Eritrean Engineers who reside in studies. In 2011, I joined Beijing University of
~ California (Bay Area) & around the globe to connect Chemical Technology (BUCT) to pursue my master’s
A and share their experience with each other. As degree in Chemical engineering. Besides taking the
E Eritrean Engineer, I feel so thrilled to publish an graduate core courses of chemical engineering, I
E article with your esteemed magazine and I hope my worked on project titled “Maximizing the Energy
M story to inspire the young Eritreans to believe that Efficiency and Clean Utilization of Low Rank Coals
~ their dreams and visions can come true, as long as through Innovative Technologies in APEC
A they work hard and stay focused, regardless of the Economies”.
E obstacles they might face in life.
E
M Since my childhood, I was so obsessed to know
~ everything how it works. I’ve had a passion for
A science ever since I can remember. In high school
E (Keih Bahri Secondary School) I discovered my
E passion for Chemistry subject. I do remember when
M
I was learning the periodic table and try
~ understanding the different properties of all the
A elements in it. It was awesome feeling! In high
E
school, I excelled academically and as a result won
E
academic recognition each year as the top student.
M
In 2002, I joined The University of Asmara (UoA)
~
and graduated in 2007 from the Department of
A
Mechanical Engineering. This project was designed to address the financial,
E
E technical and policy issues concerning staged
M After excelling in completing my BSc. Study, I get the conversion and poly-generation technologies of low
opportunity to work in Eritrea Institute of Science rank coals. Luckily, in 2012 I received two years full
~
and Technology (EIT) as a Graduate Assistant in the scholarship from the International Renewable
A
E department of Chemical Engineering. I have been Energy Agency (IRENA) to pursue my master’s
E tutoring different courses like Thermodynamics for degree in Chemical Engineering at Masdar Institute
M Chemical engineering, Heat and mass transfer to the of Science and Technology. My thesis work was part
~ degree and diploma programs also; I handled of the Masdar Institute collaboration project
A practical laboratory classes on heat pump, solar between Dr. Abu Zahra and Dr. Alan Hatton of
E plate panels and HVAC system demonstration lab Chemical engineering department of Massachusetts
E
M

AEEC | February 2018 8

A Institute of Technology (MIT). The objective of this temperatures. An excess molar heat capacity
E project is to develop new sorbents systems for CO2 expression using the Redlich-Kister equation for the
E Post-Combustion Capture. As we know, nowadays composition dependence was used to represent the
M Climate Change is an undeniable reality; therefore, it measured heat capacities of these blends. The
~ is imperative to control the emission of carbon enthalpy heat of absorption of the above capacity
A dioxide into the atmosphere in order to mitigate (mol CO2/mol Amine) was also achieved.
E global warming impacts. Carbon capture & storage
E (CCS) technology have a unique and vital role to play To accomplish the second phase of my research task,
M in the global transition to a sustainable low-carbon I got an opportunity to do three-month summer
~ economy, in both power generation and industry. internship at the Commonwealth Scientific and
A However, CCS technology is not yet economically Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), the
E feasible for industrial deployment due to high biggest research organization in Australia, in the
E capital and operational cost. The high energy field of carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS)
M demand for the regeneration of aqueous amine and solar energy. At CSRIO under the supervision of
~ solutions is one of the main challenges for Dr. Paul Feron I validated the experimental results
A conventional CO2 capture technology to be deployed with the thermodynamic modeling of the blends of
E on large scale. amines using the Specific Ion Interaction Theory
E
(SIT) proposed by Dr. Graeme Puxty for measuring
M
the heat of absorption of different amines. This
~ thermodynamic modeling using the Specific
A
Interaction Theory (SIT) was used to obtain the
E
differential and integral heat of absorption of the
E
above amines. From this work it can be concluded
M
that the highly concentrated blends of MEA and PZ
~
are more beneficial to reduce the excess heat
A
capacity than the diluted blends at all temperatures.
E
Blends of Methyl-diethanolamine (MDEA) and
E
M Piperazine with 10/20 wt% concentrations
exhibited the lowest excess heat absorption among
~ In the first part of my thesis research, I measured
A the other amine blends. This work has shown the
and evaluated the thermodynamic properties of the
E most promising blended amines which exhibits
most promising stand-alone and blend of amines
E lower absorption enthalpy, higher absorption
(primary, secondary, tertiary, sterically-hindered
M capacity and lower specific heat capacity Such,
and cyclic amines). Micro-reaction calorimeter
improved performance will help to the full scale
~ (µRC) and Thermo-gravimetric differential scanning
A deployment of post-combustion capture technology.
calorimeter (TGA-DSC) were used to measure the
E molar heat capacity, heat of absorption, heat of
E As the result of this thesis work, I get accepted to
regeneration and CO2 absorption capacity. The
M participate in the summer school which was
molar heat capacity with a total of eight binary
organized by the International Energy Agency of
~ systems and sixteen ternary systems of the most
A Greenhouse Gases (IEAGHG). The summer school
promising blend, Monoethanolamine (MEA) and
E was held in the University of Nottingham in UK,
Piperazine (PZ) were investigated at different
E Over 60 students (primarily post-graduate) from
M

AEEC | February 2018 9

A various countries and disciplines attended this published in IEEE and presented at the 2nd
E summer school which mainly focuses within the International Renewable and Sustainable Energy
E field of carbon capture and storage (CCS). Lectures Conference (IRSEC'14), Oct 2014, Ouarzazate,
M were delivered by worldwide experts from industry Morocco.
~ and academia, representatives from University of
A Oxford, University of Texas, MIT, DECC, UKERC,
E Statoil, Shell, Schlumberger, Alstom, EON and many
E more. The week-long programme covered all
M aspects of CCS – from capture to storage of the CO2,
~ monitoring, policy, public engagement, regulations
A to technical writing and a project closure. There was
E a full day for field trip which included a visit to the
E British Geological Survey, E.ON Radcliffe Technology
M Centre, the UK CCS Research Centre’s PACT facilities
~ and the UK Health & Safety Laboratory.
A
E Beside all the lectures and field trip, we were busy
E the whole week preparing for the presentation on
M the topic we were assigned to. Out of the 6 groups
~ who presented their findings, our group awarded
A the Best group presentation, the topic of our After graduating with masters in Chemical
E presentation was: ‘Should CCS be mandatory in the Engineering, I worked in Masdar Institute of Sceince
E and Technology as a Research Engineer in the
developed world? What are the pros and cons?
M mechanical and material engineering department
~ From this thesis work, I published in the for 6 months. During this period I evaluated the
A chemical composition and the molar specific heat of
International Journal of the Greenhouse Gases:
E white aluminum dross skimmed from a gas fired
Science and Technology Journal. Also, my research
E reverberatory metal holding furnace during the
work in the reaction enthalpy evaluation for
M alloying process. The chemical composition was
different Amine Solvents for Post-combustion
~
Capture Applications was presented in the 2nd Post determined using the energy dispersive analysis
A (EDS) technique while the specific heat were
Combustion Capture Conference (PCCC2), Bergen,
E measured isothermally using micro-reaction
Norway. Also published in the Energy Proceed about
E calorimeter (μRC) from 303.15 K to 353.15 K at an
M the heat of Absorption and Specific Heat of Carbon interval of 5 K. The molar specific heat is
~ Dioxide in Aqueous Solutions of Monoethanolamine, extrapolated to elevated temperatures from
3-Piperidinemethanol and their blends is
A 363.15 K to 1323.2 K based on a linear model that is
E presented in the International Conference on developed from the measured range and in house
E Greenhouse Gas Control Technology (GHGT-12), at elemental specific heat model. Also, the thermal
M Texas-Austin University, which is the largest conductivity and enthalpy of the dross was
~ conference in the field of carbon capture. Moreover, predicted using the JMatPro software and the
A paper on the “An Advanced Novel Solvent for CO2 aluminum component phase change has been
E Post-Combustion Capture Application” were determined. The EDS shows that the composition of
E
M

AEEC | February 2018 10

A metallic aluminum found in the dross was high with In 2011, I received the Grand Prize Winner of the
E the inclusion of other impurities and this metallic Chinese Central Television (CCTV), in Beijing, China.
E aluminum can still be further recycled in order to
M acquire considerable amount of aluminum in the In Conclusion, It is my firm belief that it is every
~ secondary recovery process. The determined weight man’s obligation to put back into the world at least
A percentage of chemical composition of the the equivalent of what he takes out of it and so in
E aluminum dross consists of Al (42.52%); C (6.09%); this rapidly progressing world, higher knowledge,
E O (22.82%); Mg (15.54%); Fe (10.15%); Nb (0.51%) wider exposure to practical experience, and
M and K (2.37%). involvement in more extensive research are
~ essential to the development of a well-rounded
A Beside my research and course work, I was an active engineer. At the present, I’m shifting my carrier to
E member in most of the extra-curricular activities in totally different prospective, I always like to
E the campus. I was the student government leader at challenge myself and I decided to be “a Data
M large (SGA) and also the Vice-president of the Scientist”. This sexiest job of the 21th century as
~ Engineers without border (EWB) . I also volunteer mentioned by Harvard Business. It isn't a big
A for the Zayed Future Energy Prize (ZEEP) and surprise, Data will be the electricity of the 21
E participated in the Green carrier fair at the World century, every aspect of our life will affected by
E Future Energy submit (WFES). I also received the Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Deep
M certificate of appreciation as an outstanding student Learning and the time is now to dive in this
~ in the Ambassador program (AP) at Masdar fascinating field.
A Institute.
E ~ Engineer Abdurahim Abdulkadir, ME
E
M
~
A
E
E
M
~
A ALPHA ERITREAN ENGINEERS MAGAZINE
E
E
M
~
A FEBRUARY 2016 ISSUE
E
E
M
~
A
E
E
M

AEEC | February 2018 11

 ERITREA, A COUNTRY WITH 300+ ISLANDS AROUND ITS COASTAL WATERS WITH
EXOTIC FISHES FOUND NOWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD!

Photo by Madote

Eritrea purely magnificent

Travel is more than the seeing of sight; it is

a change that goes on, deep and
12

permanent, in the idea of living.”

February
AEEC | 2018 12

~ Miriam Beard
The visionary concept of smart grid involves the integration of
communication infrastructure with advanced process automation
within the existing electrical infrastructure. It involves
modernization of the existing grid and the scope of change spans
the entire grid from generation, through transmission and
distribution infrastructure, all the way down to consumers. No
single business owns or operates the grid. The pace of the smart
grid implementation will heavily depend on the developments of
the following major components

AEEC | February 2018 13

~
A
E
E SMART GRID PROSPECTS & CHALLENGES
M
~ Introduction
A and oversighted by Third party. The shareholder
E The traditional operating configuration of the
E electricity grid in use today originates from large
M power plants generating electricity and then
~ transmitting it at higher voltage levels. The higher
A transmission voltage levels reduces the losses along
E the way significantly. The lines losses in US currently
E about 7% [1]. An interconnected transmission lines
M then transmit the electricity over long distances,
~ after which it is stepped down to lower voltages for
A distribution to customers.
E
E Even though the operating infrastructure of the
M electricity grid hasn’t undergone substantial changes
~ in the past century, the procedures used to plan and
A operate the grid and the regulatory structures have
E undergone a significant evolution. Those changes
E have been majorly driven by small number of key
M events such as : Northeast Blackout of 1965, Energy
~ Crises of 1973-1974, Western Energy Crisis of 2000-
A 2001, Northeast Blackout of 2003.
E technologies and existing infrastructure.
E One of the most significant features of the electric
M industry is the nature how it is regulated. It is one of
~ the most closely regulated industry in the whole
A world. The economic nature of the industry drives
E the need for close regulation of electric utilities.
E Society does not benefit when overlapping electric
M delivery networks, which implies the best outcome
~ in terms of societal benefits will be one and only one
A provider of the service in a given market. Hence,
E utilities are natural monopolies and they are always
E governed by regulations. In US FERC regulates the
M investor owned utilities, while the local communities
~ control state PUC (Public Utility Company). The
A regulator body control the pricing, ensures utilities
E are obliging with customer service
E
M
AEEC | February 2018
owned utility, thus are greatly affected by the
incentive the regulatory body provides.
What is Smart Grid?
The revolution in the communication technology in
the past few decades is paving ways to revolutionize
the way energy is dispatched. In a vision to update
the delivery infrastructure, the industry is
implementing the “SMART GRID”. It’s an electric grid
that uses the data available from advanced sensing,
computing, and communications hardware and
software to ensure a two-way flow of information
and electricity between the utility and customers
and all points in between.
It involves modernization of the electricity delivery
system. It builds on the existing infrastructure and is
not a one time solution, rather has a long term focus.
It is not also an off-the-shelf product, but an
integrated solution which involves variety of new
Smart Grid Architecture/ components
The visionary concept of smart grid involves the
integration of communication infrastructure with
advanced process automation within the existing
electrical infrastructure. It involves modernization
of the existing grid and the scope of change spans
the entire grid from generation, through
transmission and distribution infrastructure, all the
way down to consumers. No single business owns or
operates the grid. The pace of the smart grid
implementation will heavily depend on the
developments of the following major components
14
~
A quality. DERMS (Distributed Energy Resources
E  Integrated Distributed Energy
Management System) is one of the technologies
E Resources developed to enable optimized scheduling of
M
~ The Central Grid management will be a constellation renewable energy and storage. This real-time
A of microgrids with multiple layers of distributed Demand Response capability can only be provided
E energy resources (DER). The DER can be Onshore by smart grid.
E and offshore wind farms, Solar farms, Electric
 SMART CITY
M Vehicles (EV)... Some of the challenges that need to
~ be addressed in this regard includes advanced plant The 21st century is seeing a rapid growth of cities.
A controls and asset management of Power plants and By 2050, 66% of the world’s population is expected
E their substations, integration of DER to grid, Wind/ to live in cities. Cities include giant systems and
E solar forecast and fleet management, and storage. countless subsystems, all of which depend on
M electric power and hardware to collect data and
 Transmission
~ exchange information. Hence, a reliable energy
A The growing demand of energy and the aging grid access is a precondition to build an efficient urban
E will add more stress on the existing grid. The smart infrastructure. Some of the features of smart grid
E grid challenge will be to optimize the use of vision of smart city includes
M
transmission assets by reducing grid losses and o Cloud based architecture
~ enhancing the grid stability. The transmission
A system will utilize advanced technologies such as o Optimise local renewable, storage and
E DR
HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current), Digital
E o Full function support for “Virtual
substation (GIS, AIS), FACTS (Flexible Alternating Power Plant”, such as EV
M
Current Transmission), grid connected storages to
~ improve the quality and capacity of the o Active Consumer Interface
A
transmission, control power flow and ensure
E
stability. Key Market Drivers
E
M  Distribution
~ Twenty-first century economy can not be built on
A As part of the global initiative to tackle global twentieth century electric grid. There is a major
E warming, integration of the clean renewable energy need for a substantial upgrade to the power grid.
E sources is a growing trend. Accommodating the Some of the factors driving the modernization of the
M penetration of renewable energy resources will pose electricity grid includes:
~ new challenge which can be addressed by a smart
 Reliable Power- Maintain Grid Stability
A grid. The intermittent nature of the renewables
o Mitigate blackouts and outage impacts
E creates grid stability challenges. To maintain grid
o Monitor asset conditions and limits
E stability at renewable penetration of 20% or above,
o Improve fault detection and
M a real time system information will be required to
prevention
~ manage the renewable generation, balance
o Active demand response (DR)
A intermittent supply with flexile demand, handle
E multi directional power flows and maintain power
E
M

AEEC | February 2018 15

~
A
E
E
M
~
A
E
E
M
~
A
E
E
M
~
A
E
E
M
~
A
E  Improve Energy efficiency (Affordable Power) industry is one of the closely regulated industries.
E o Maximize energy flows in constrained Hence, any effort to modernize the grid is greatly
M and aging grids by reducing grid loss affected by the incentive the regulatory body
~ o Connect DERs to the energy system provides. Individual players have little incentive to
A o System performance and asset risk major changes and this luck of economical
E utilization improvement motivation has been one of the main challenges to
E o Leverage information across the smart grid revolution. For perspective, the
M equipment information technologies Brattle Group estimates that it may take as much as
~  Renewable power - Reduce CO emission
2
$1.5 trillion to update the grid by 2030 [2].
A o Enable renewable energy
E resources(wind, solar) grid integration Another challenge facing the development of the
E and dispatch smart grid is ensuring interoperability of smart-grid
M o Integrate Distributed Energy standards. Major technical hurdles include
~ Resources(DER) such as renewable, developing economical storage systems; these
A positive buildings and electric vehicles storage systems can help solve other technical
E o Develop backup energy flexibility challenges, such as integrating distributed
E through distributed generation and renewable-energy sources with the grid, addressing
M storage power-quality problems that would otherwise
~ exacerbate the situation, and enhancing asset
A Challenges utilization[2].
E
E As briefly discussed in introduction, the electric Smart grid is deployed over large scale systems and
M

AEEC | February 2018 16

~
A subsystems, which make the cybersecurity challenge drivers in the smart grid evaluation and foundation
E diverse. Protecting against the unauthorized of work of standards, interoperability and security. In
E modification or destruction of information, ensuring the years and decades ahead the smart grid will take
M timely and reliable access to information and shape from the merging of the electrical power
~ services, protecting the privacy… are some of the infrastructure and communication infrastructure.
A smart grid security objectives.
E About Adulis
E Changing technology, changing energy mixes,
M changing energy policy, and developing climate Upon completion of my undergraduate study in
~ change policy poses another challenge as there is Electrical and electronics engineering at Eritrea
A uncertainty of the path that the development smart Institute of Technology (EIT), Mai-Nefhi, I was
E grid will take over time. Trying to legislate or assigned to Ministry of Energy and Mines. After
E regulate the development of a smart grid or its working for the ministry for a year, I joined Chalmers
M related technologies can severely diminish the university of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, in
~ benefits of the virtual, flexible, and transparent fall 2013. Following my completion of my graduate
A energy market it strives to provide. studies in Electric Power Engineering in September
E 2016, I worked for Fresenius Medical Care in
E Where do we go from Here? Concord, CA, and Syska Hennessy Group in San
M Francisco, CA, as Electrical Engineer. Currently, I am
~ The smart grid hype has gained much interest and working with AECOM on BART Traction Power
A momentum worldwide. It has helped in bringing substation replacement projects.
E more focus on cleaner and greener energy resources.
E Changes in the utility industry have historically been ~ Engineer Adulis Abun, EE
M very slow, however, there has been significant
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ALPHA ERITREAN ENGINEERS

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E Authors
M FEVEN M. MICHAEL fevu_alem2000@yahoo.com If you need an updated
~ received her PhD in Chemical engineering under
A Manufacturing and Industrial Processes information, discussions or
E Division from the University of Nottingham have an experience you would
E Malaysia. Currently she is extremely interested in
M obtaining a postdoctoral position, where she can like to share with your fellow
~ contribute on biomaterials and tissue engineering professionals feel free to
related research.
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contact us.
ABDURAHIM ABDULKADIR
E abdueng4@gmail.com received his Master’s
M degree from Masdar Institute of Science and You will find us on
~ Technology. Currently he is shifting his carrier to
A “a Data Scientist”. www.linkedin.com/groups/
E Alpha-Eritrean-Engineers-
E
ADULIS ABUN adulis.abun@gmail.com
received his Master’s degree in Chalmers Community
M
university of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden.
~ Currently, he is with AECOM on BART Traction
A Power substation replacement projects.
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