Mathematical and Computational tools for Energy Efficiency and Reliability of Data Centers and the Electrical Grid – Individual Interests vs. the Common Good
Where: Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
When: June 11 – 17, 2017
Presented under the auspices of DIMACS Special Focus on Energy and Algorithms and by CCICADA.
About Reconnect Workshops
Reconnect Workshops expose faculty teaching undergraduates to current applications of mathematical and computational sciences and provide an opportunity for government or industry professionals to learn about recent research in related areas. Topics are presented in a weeklong series of lectures and activities; participants are involved in both research activities and in writing materials useful in the classroom or to share with their colleagues. Participants may develop materials for publication in the CCICADA Research Reports or the Educational Modules Series published by the DIMACS.
2017 Topic:
Mathematical and Computational tools for Energy Efficiency and Reliability of Data Centers and the Electrical Grid – Individual Interests vs. the Common Good
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (2008) indicates that buildings account for as much as 40 percent of energy use in industrialized countries. Data centers (computing facilities with electronic equipment for data processing, storage, and communications networking) are especially inefficient users of energy. The amount of carbon dioxide emitted by data centers worldwide exceeds the total emissions of Argentina and the Netherlands combined (Kaplan et al., 2008). In light of such issues, the information technology (IT) industry is looking to advanced power management hardware, smart cooling systems, virtualization tools, and dense server configurations to reduce energy consumption. Large scale sensor networks used in the design of these advanced systems are inherently graph theoretical. Part of Reconnect will be devoted to understanding these sensor networks.
A second related area will examine the development of a truly “smart” electrical grid. The Smart Grid will include smart sensors and controls throughout the transmission and distribution system and a broad communication platform for two-way communications to move data and electricity between utilities and consumers. Smart Grid consumers will have smart meters that can track energy consumption, monitor individual power circuits in the home, control smart appliances, and actively manage energy use. Game-theory models, multi-agent based models, decision-support and optimization tools, and security and privacy tools will be considered.
A third topic will explore policies for balancing individual interests with the common good to avoid an eventual “tragedy of the commons”. In this area, game theory can model the interactions of multiple agents and show the effects of competing interests. Economic incentives may influence whether a country or a company is motivated to enter an agreement and then abide by it.
Registration fees, lodging, meals and travel: Accepted participants from US academic institutions: registration, lodging in a single room, and meals will be provided at no charge. Participants from non-profit institutions, government, and non-US academic institutions: $350. Participants from for-profit corporations: $500. Registration fees include all meals from Sunday dinner through Saturday lunch. Limited funds are expected to be available to provide partial support for travel.
Workshop Schedule and Program Agenda
- TBA plus speakers from the Appalachian Energy Center
Organizers
- Dr. Midge Cozzens, Research Professor, DIMACS Center, Rutgers University
- Mark Ginn, Professor of Mathematics at Appalachian State
1050 Hwy 105
Boone, NC 28607
Toll Free:
Phone: 828-265-7676
Please contact Kelly Quesnelle (kellyq@dimacs.rutgers.edu) for reservation questions.
Workshop Location
Apply to Become a Participant: Application deadline is March 15, 2017, or until all slots are filled. Applications must be submitted online and will be reviewed as they are received.
For more information, contact: Kelly Quesnelle (kellyq@dimacs.rutgers.edu) or Midge Cozzens (midge6930@comcast.net).