The Power Of Systems

In The Power of Systems, Egle Rindzeviciute introduces readers to one of the best-kept secrets of the Cold War: the International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis, an international think tank established by the U.S. and Soviet governments to advance scientific collaboration. From 1972 until the late 1980s IIASA in Austria was one of the very few permanent platforms where policy scientists from both sides of the Cold War divide could work together to articulate and solve world problems. This think tank was a rare zone of freedom, communication, and negotiation, where leading Soviet scientists could try out their innovative ideas, benefit from access to Western literature, and develop social networks, thus paving the way for some of the key science and policy breakthroughs of the twentieth century.Ambitious diplomatic, scientific, and organizational strategies were employed to make this arena for cooperation work for global change. Under the umbrella of the systems approach, East-West scientists co-produced computer simulations of the long-term world future and the anthropogenic impact on the environment, using global modeling to explore the possible effects of climate change and nuclear winter. Their concern with global issues also became a vehicle for transformation inside the Soviet Union. The book shows how computer modeling, cybernetics, and the systems approach challenged Soviet governance by undermining the linear notions of control on which Soviet governance was based and creating new objects and techniques of government.

A clear explanation of the technology for producing and delivering electricity Electric Power Systems explains and illustrates how the electric grid works in a clear, straightforward style that makes highly technical material accessible. It begins with a thorough discussion of the underlying physical concepts of electricity, circuits, and complex power that serves as a foundation for more advanced material. Readers are then introduced to the main components of electric power systems, including generators, motors and other appliances, and transmission and distribution equipment such as power lines, transformers, and circuit breakers. The author explains how a whole power system is managed and coordinated, analyzed mathematically, and kept stable and reliable. Recognizing the economic and environmental implications of electric energy production and public concern over disruptions of service, this book exposes the challenges of producing and delivering electricity to help inform public policy decisions. Its discussions of complex concepts such as reactive power balance, load flow, and stability analysis, for example, offer deep insight into the complexity of electric grid operation and demonstrate how and why physics constrains economics and politics. Although this survival guide includes mathematical equations and formulas, it discusses their meaning in plain English and does not assume any prior familiarity with particular notations or technical jargon. Additional features include: * A glossary of symbols, units, abbreviations, and acronyms * Illustrations that help readers visualize processes and better understand complex concepts * Detailed analysis of a case study, including a Web reference to the case, enabling readers to test the consequences of manipulating various parameters With its clear discussion of how electric grids work, Electric Power Systems is appropriate for a broad readership of professionals, undergraduate and graduate students, government agency managers, environmental advocates, and consumers.

The Hidden Power of Systems Thinking: Governance in a Climate Emergency is a persuasive, lively book that shows how systems thinking can be harnessed to effect profound, complex change. In the age of the Anthropocene, the need for new ways of thinking and acting has become urgent. But patterns of obstacles are apparent in any action, be they corporate interests, lobbyists, or outdated political and government systems. Ison and Straw show how and why failure in governance is at the heart of the collective incapacity to tackle the climate and biodiversity emergencies. They go beyond analysis of the problem and demonstrate how incorporating systems thinking into governance at every level would enable us to break free of historical shackles. They propose 26 principles for systemic governance. This book will be inspiring reading for students applying their systemic methods, specialists in change management or public administration, activists for ‘whole system change’ and decision makers wanting to effect challenging transformations. It is for anyone with the ambition to create a sustainable and fair world.

Accessible, full of real-life examples, and beautifully written by a pioneer in systems thinking A systems framework based not on hopes and dreams but on thirty years of research on what systems really are Speaks to leadership in the family, community, organization, and nation For over thirty years, Barry Oshry has uncovered core truths about how we operate in large organizations through the Power Lab, an experiential program that has been called "The World Series of Leadership Development Activities." In Leading Systems, Oshry reveals the lessons he has derived from his Power Lab experiences-experiences that have been central to his innovative insights about human systems and system leadership. Oshry maintains that the next evolutionary challenge for human beings is to recognize ourselves as system creatures, see how system processes shape our experiences, and develop the knowledge and skills to master these processes rather than be victims of them. Drawing on his Power Lab experiences, he reveals the possibilities of systems leadership and how effective leadership can provide the basis for creating sane, healthy, effective social systems. Challenging conventional thinking, Oshry shows the limitations of consensus, the importance of unilateral action, and the restrictions that our values-such as egalitarianism, liberalism, conservatism-can place on power. He reveals how the problems we often believe are personal or peculiar to our system or circumstances are in factsystemic, limiting the possibilities of both individuals and the system as a whole-and he demonstrates what it takes to break out and elevate ourselves and our systems to higher levels of possibility. Perhaps most importantly, Oshry shares his experience in discovering what he calls "exhilarating concepts," and shows how these concepts offer unusual insights into the nature of systems, shedding light on everything from organizational dysfunction to the conflicts that occur along lines of race,gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity. It is only through this deep knowledge, Oshry says, that system leaders can elevate their systems to those higher levels of possibility to which we aspire. Offering new directions, Leading Systems is essential reading for anyone who wants a deep understanding of how systems work and how to exert enlightened leadership.

Uncertainties in Modern Power Systems combines several aspects of uncertainty management in power systems at the planning and operation stages within an integrated framework. This book provides the state-of-the-art in electric network planning, including time-scales, reliability, quality, optimal allocation of compensators and distributed generators, mathematical formulation, and search algorithms. The book introduces innovative research outcomes, programs, algorithms, and approaches that consolidate the present status and future opportunities and challenges of power systems. The book also offers a comprehensive description of the overall process in terms of understanding, creating, data gathering, and managing complex electrical engineering applications with uncertainties. This reference is useful for researchers, engineers, and operators in power distribution systems. Includes innovative research outcomes, programs, algorithms, and approaches that consolidate current status and future of modern power systems Discusses how uncertainties will impact on the performance of power systems Offers solutions to significant challenges in power systems planning to achieve the best operational performance of the different electric power sectors

Cyber-Physical Power System State Estimation updates classic state estimation tools to enable real-time operations and optimize reliability in modern electric power systems. The work introduces and contextualizes the core concepts and classic approaches to state estimation modeling. It builds on these classic approaches with a suite of data-driven models and non-synchronized measurement tools to reflect current measurement trends required by increasingly more sophisticated grids. Chapters outline core definitions, concepts and the network analysis procedures involved in the real-time operation of EPS. Specific sections introduce power flow problem in EPS, highlighting network component modeling and power flow equations for state estimation before addressing quasi static state estimation in electrical power systems using Weighted Least Squares (WLS) classical and alternatives formulations. Particularities of the state estimation process in distribution systems are also considered. Finally, the work goes on to address observability analysis, measurement redundancy and the processing of gross errors through the analysis of WLS static state estimator residuals. Develops advanced approaches to smart grid real-time monitoring through quasi-static model state estimation and non-synchronized measurements system models Presents a novel, extended optimization, physics-based model which identifies and corrects for measurement error presently egregiously discounted in classic models Demonstrates how to embed cyber-physical security into smart grids for real-time monitoring Introduces new approaches to calculate power flow in distribution systems and for estimating distribution system states Incorporates machine-learning based approaches to complement the state estimation process, including pattern recognition-based solutions, principal component analysis and support vector machines

What if you had total control overyour hours and weekends? What if you didn't have toanswer to anyone? What if you took control over your future? When you work for someone else, you don't control your future. Your boss decides how much money you make and how many hours you work. For many, the law is just a job that you do to make ends meet and pay the bills. It's time to change that It's not just about work and money. It's about loving what you do and looking forward to coming to work. It's about spending time with your family and living a fun life. It's time you make the rules For the first time, you have in your hands the technical, managerial and entrepreneurial secrets to running a multi-million dollar law firm. Tried and true methods for managing and growing the injury law firm of your dreams is now in your hands--precise methods that, when applied, will slowly but surely grow your law firm into an asset that serves your ideal lifestyle. Who said you have to be a slave to your law practice? IT'S TIME TO BREAK ALL OF THE RULES so you have the one thing that all lawyers should seek: autonomy to live life on your terms. THE POWER OF A SYSTEM Torts, contracts, constitutional law...you got your fill in law school of theoretical concepts that you need to pass the bar exam. But then a funny thing happened, you got out of law school, opened your new law firm and you realized something--no one ever taught you how to run your own law firm in law school. Suddenly, you're on your own with fancy new letterhead, a few clients and not much else. Your dusty law school books aren't much help. It's great to have your book smarts and fancy law degree but how do you pay the bills every Friday when your staff wants their paycheck? You pull your hair out wondering how you got yourself into this mess. This book was written for you. You are not alone. Yes, others have done the same thing before you and believe it or not, there are tried and proven recipes for success. Instead of fumbling around like the other lawyers in your town and just waiting for your phone to ring with your next case, you study the recipe and principles for a big-time injury law firm and little by little you begin implementing systems into your new law firm. You have in your hands tried and proven systems for the injury law firm of your dreams. It's not just the technical aspects of running your own law firm, but the managerial and entrepreneurial principles that you must have to keep a constant stream of new cases and clients coming down the pipe. And no, these are not law school theoretical concepts but the technical, managerial and entrepreneurial "how to" steps that have been tried and tested over years of trial and error. You won't find a book like this in your law school library...or anywhere else. Law school's out--no more time for theoretical concepts--it's time to get bills paid, move cases to trial, start making money and begin living life on your terms. All royalties from the sale of this book are donated to Doc to Dock, Inc., an amazing nonprofit organization based in New York that collects unused and unwanted medical supplies from around the country and ships them to hospitals and clinics in impoverished Third World nations in Africa and Haiti. Every day tons of unused medical supplies and equipment are incinerated or tossed into landfills in the U.S. Rather than letting the unused medical supplies go to waste, Doc to Dock, Inc. collects the donated medical supplies consisting of basic medical devices such as catheters and ultrasound machines, and transports them to developing countries where they are needed the most. Doc to Dock, Inc. has provided shipments to 18 different countries in the poorest regions of sub-Saharan Africa and has made a huge difference in preventing very curable and basic illnesses that are often life-threatening in Africa due to their lack of medical supplies.

The modernization of industrial power systems has been stifled by industry's acceptance of extremely outdated practices. Industry is hesitant to depart from power system design practices influenced by the economic concerns and technology of the post World War II period. In order to break free of outdated techniques and ensure product quality and continuity of operations, engineers must apply novel techniques to plan, design, and implement electrical power systems. Based on the author's 40 years of experience in Industry, Industrial Power Systems illustrates the importance of reliable power systems and provides engineers the tools to plan, design, and implement one. Using materials from IEEE courses developed for practicing engineers, the book covers relevant engineering features and modern design procedures, including power system studies, grounding, instrument transformers, and medium-voltage motors. The author provides a number of practical tables, including IEEE and European standards, and design principles for industrial applications. Long overdue, Industrial Power Systems provides power engineers with a blueprint for designing electrical systems that will provide continuously available electric power at the quality and quantity needed to maintain operations and standards of production.