Blog 17: Third Answer

Due Date:  Thursday, March 5th by 8AM

Content:

Just like you did for answer 1 and 2 post your:

• EQ
• What is the best way to optimize the electrical grid to ensure maximum operating efficiency?
• Answer #3 (Write in a complete sentence like a thesis statement)*
• Change voltage profiles to decrease the amount of reactive power being generated.
• 3 details to support the answer (a detail is a fact and an example)
• Changing the voltage profile of a distribution system, such as the electrical grid, helps utilities maintain a power factor of one (aka, "unity power factor"). The unity power factor is the goal of any electrical utility service. If utilities have a power factor less than one, then they have to supply more current to the user for a given amount of power use. In so doing, they incur more line losses. They also must have larger capacity equipment in place than would be otherwise necessary. As a result, an industrial facility will be charged a penalty if its power factor is much different from 1. According to my mentor, keeping the power factor close to one also minimizes the amount of reactive power being generated.
• There are two types of power: real power and reactive power. According to my mentor, reactive power is synonymous with wasted energy due to traveling between an input (e.g., a substation) and the output (e.g., a home). In order to reduce this reactive power in a distribution network, such as the electrical grid, engineers must remember the equation for electric power: P=VI (Power = voltage x current). This equation gives the instantaneous power in an AC circuit. Current is measured in Ohms. 
• Changing the voltage profile of a distribution system also helps facilitate the integration of distributed generators, DG. As DG becomes more widespread, there are some problems that are encountered. The distribution networks to which distributed generators (e.g. solar farms and wind farms)  are connected were not designed for direct connection of generators. They were designed for power flow from a source (substation) to the consumer loads. Introduction of DG often leads to changes in the direction of power flow in distribution networks. In addition to this, DG cause changes to stability, voltage profile and protection systems. Because distribution networks were not designed to accommodate generators, constraints are placed on DG utilization. One limit is the amount of power that DG can supply. Supply of real power causes voltage level around the power source to rise. If the real power supplied is too high, voltage level may rise beyond acceptable limits set by the NEC (National Electric Code).
• The research source (s) to support your details and answer
• Interview 3 (with Allen Barreno)
• https://www.uonbi.ac.ke/abunguodero/files/ijetae_1212_13.pdf
• http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/powfac.html#c1
• Mini Interviews (with Ali Kazemi and Amanvir Sudan)
• Concluding Sentence
• 
  

*Write your answer like you would write a thesis statement.  Please don't give us one or two words or start your sentence with "by".    Thanks!

Blog 11: Holiday Project Update

Content:

1.  It is important to consistently work on your senior project, whether it is break or we are in school.  What did you do over the break with your senior project?

Over winter break, I went to my mentorship for a few hours to talk with my mentor about my EQ as well as possible answers for it. He also gave me valuable insight into possible directions for my research and other outlets as well. Additionally, I worked on my independent component for several hours. I started on another drafting project: My First Floor Plan, where I draft out the floor plan of the mentorship building based on schematics that were given to me by my mentor. 

2.  What was the most important thing you learned from what you did, and why?  What was the source of what you learned?

The most important thing I learned from my mentorship is that operating efficiency of the electrical grid and economics have an intimate connection that must be kept at a balance in order for utilities to be more energy efficient in the future.

3.  If you were going to do a 10 question interview on questions related to answers for your EQ, who would you talk to and why?

First and foremost, I would talk with my mentor because he is a very qualified electrical engineer with years of experience working on and optimizing substations, so he could probably give me some valuable information on operating efficiency for the electrical grid. I would also talk to my mentor's brother because even though he is still an electrical engineering student at Cal Poly, he is currently studying microgrids for his senior project (which could potentially be one of my main answers for my EQ).

Parabolas for Days

Hello everyone!

Over the past month, I've spent a number of hours at my mentorship trying to figure out the best way to draft the Bamax helmet.

Although I have not made very much visual progress, I have overcome one of my biggest issues concerning this project so far: the parabolas. Drawing parabolas in Microstation was problematic for me because it was not a straightforward task. There is not a parabola tool in Microstation, so I had to resort to alternative means (e.g. mirroring points on one side of the parabola on the picture to the other side); all of which were very inefficient or impractical depending on the situation. After a few hours, I decided to just google it, and sure enough, there was a YouTube video that showed how to construct a parabola in Microstation (given the base and height). The video I found is given below:

I really liked this video because the uploader, UjjwalRane, gives a clear explanation of his method and provides an easy-to-follow, on-screen procedure that applies to 99% of all the parabolas you would want to create in Microstation. This particular video deals with parabolas that have the mouth opening downwards. If you'd like to see the video dealing with parabolas that have the mouth opening upwards, click here.

I learned an important lesson that day: if you can't figure out a drafting problem at work within a few minutes, look it up online. The answer is probably there!

EQ

Content

1.   Review this.  Confirm by stating "I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ."

Essential Question 
Once a topic is chosen, the student will develop a working essential question.  The purpose of the working essential question is to help the student build a strong foundation of research which will allow him or her to create an essential question that encourages depth and rigor in the chosen topic.  An essential question must:

• Provide a framework for studies (It calls for breadth and depth of research, Is not a yes/no question)
• Take a stance (It allows you to argue some point, Cannot be a recitation of facts or a list)
•  Format (It is specific, The wording makes sense)

I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ.

2.  Review the following EQs and

• Tell us if each meets the rule of three.
• Tell why they do or don't.

 a.  What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?

The following EQ meets the rule of three.  It is not a yes/no question and calls for depth in research. It takes a stance by asking "what is the most important (blank)". The EQ's format makes sense and is specific in that it is asking about healthy weight loss.

 b.  What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?

The  following EQ does not meet the rule of three. Despite the EQ's proficient wording and invitation to "take a stance", the question is not specific enough about the type of crime or the circumstances in order to provide a focused framework for studies.

 c.  What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?

The  following EQ does not meet the rule of three. The EQ isn't specific enough. The wording of it opens invitation for the cliche "The customer is always right." 

 d.  How can an anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?

The following EQ meets the rule of three.  It is not a yes/no question and calls for depth in research. It takes a stance by asking which treatment is best for an anesthesiologist to use. The EQ's format makes sense and is specific in that it is asking about the type of pain.

3.  Based on your review of the rule of 3 and your experience with assessing four EQs, please write another draft EQ for your senior project.  The senior team will be meeting with students shortly for EQ revision and approval; you are expected to bring your research notebook to that meeting with your EQ draft written inside in pencil.

Blog 8 - Research and Working EQ

Title:  Blog 8 - Research and Working EQ 

Label:  Research

Due Date: Thursday October 16 by 8AM

1.  What is your working EQ?

My working EQ is "What is power engineering and how does it relate to Caltrans?"

2.  What is a possible answer to your working EQ? Please write the answer in thesis format. 

What is power engineering and how does it relate to Caltrans?

•  The conversion of power into energy, where the main goal is to understand and manipulate currents (e.g. AC or DC) to make them more efficient.

•  The main goal of a power engineer is to deliver reliable, stable sources of power to their customers.

3.  What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ?

The most important source I've used that has helped me answer my working EQ is an article by Mary McMahon called What Does a Power Engineer Do? It has helped me identify the main duties, areas of interest, and working environments power engineers encounter on a daily basis. This source has lead me to other questions, such as "What are the applications of power engineering in Caltrans?" and "What kind of work would a power engineer be doing in Caltrans, if any?".

4.  Who is your mentor, or where are you doing mentorship, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?

My mentor is Allen Barreno, a professional project electrical engineer. I do my mentorship at his company, BERG Power Engineers, where I practice drafting work independently. My drafting work relates to my working EQ because the ability to competently do C.A.D.D. (Computer-Aided Drafting and Design) work is imperative in the engineering world, especially in the sub-field of electrical  engineering, where you are constantly using the computer either to design, draft, or communicate with coworkers or fellow engineers.

Blog 5 - Mentorship Reflection

Due Date:  Thursday September 11 by 8AM

Based on what you have done for your senior project so far, answer the following questions (be specific and use examples).

1. Mentorship question: Describe your experience in how you found your mentorship?  If you haven't found one yet, describe your experience so far in the search of a mentor.

About mid-June, I began my grueling quest for an electrical engineer that would take me under their wing. I spent about 5 days researching and calling different companies (such as Edison, LA DWP, and Cal trans) for a mentorship, but to no avail. On the seventh day (like an act of Providence), my mom gave me a list of phone numbers of engineering firms around my area. I called about ten firms from three different cities before I stumbled upon a company called BERG Power Engineers (BPE). When I contacted the company, I was greeted by the secretary who told me about an electrical engineer named: Allen Barreno and how he could possibly assist me with my dilemma.  After consulting with the secretary, I visited their website to check the resumes of the different engineers that worked there. When I looked over his resume, I couldn't help but grin at how legitimate and well-rounded he was and I decided to make a trip over to BPE to ask him to be my mentor. The next day, I went to BPE, where I met up with Allen to discuss my Senior project and the opportunity to pursue a mentorship there. After a few minutes of discussion, he pleasantly agreed to make me his apprentice. He told me I could start observing and helping him the subsequent Monday. The following week, I began my mentorship at BERG for 14 days before the beginning of the school year. Since then, I have been mentoring there every Friday. 

2. Research question: What has been your most important article you have read so far and why?

The most important article I've read so far is called What are the Different Types of Jobs for Power Engineers? because it has helped me to focus my research on problems encountered primarily by power systems engineers. This article also offers a concise description of many other jobs [as wells as their educational requirements] related to the power engineering field, such as a power plant control engineer, software engineer, and a service & repair engineer.

Free Online Textbook for Electrical engineering!

The other day I was researching some articles for my senior topic when I stumbled upon a diamond in the ruff: a website that offers unlimited access to a series of textbooks on electricity and electronics (AC current, DC, semiconductors, etc.). Aptly named named All About Circuits, this website offers a plethora of other services as well, such as: video lectures, blogs, worksheets, and forums (on a variety of electrical engineering topics for students, hobbyists, and professionals). If you plan to become an electrical engineer, are a professional engineer, or even just a fan of electronics and would like to expand your knowledge, I recommend that you check out this website now!

Blog 3: Topic Choice and Working EQ

1.  List your topic here: 

Power Engineering

2.  Write a question that helps to focus your research this month.

What is power engineering and how does it relate to Caltrans?