Distributed rrays: an algebra for generic distributed query processing

We propose a simple model for distributed query processing based on the concept of a distributed array. Such an array has fields of some data type whose values can be stored on different machines. It offers operations to manipulate all fields in parallel within the distributed algebra. The arrays considered are one-dimensional and just serve to model a partitioned and distributed data set. Distributed arrays rest on a given set of data types and operations called the basic algebra implemented by some piece of software called the basic engine. It provides a complete environment for query processing on a single machine. We assume this environment is extensible by types and operations. Operations on distributed arrays are implemented by one basic engine called the master which controls a set of basic engines called the workers. It maps operations on distributed arrays to the respective operations on their fields executed by workers. The distributed algebra is completely generic: any type or operation added in the extensible basic engine will be immediately available for distributed query processing. To demonstrate the use of the distributed algebra as a language for distributed query processing, we describe a fairly complex algorithm for distributed density-based similarity clustering. The algorithm is a novel contribution by itself. Its complete implementation is shown in terms of the distributed algebra and the basic algebra. As a basic engine the Secondo system is used, a rich environment for extensible query processing, providing useful tools such as main memory M-trees, graphs, or a DBScan implementation.

A Software for Calculating the Economic Aspects of Floating Offshore Renewable Energies

The aim of this work is to develop a software to calculate the economic parameters so as to determine the feasibility of a floating offshore renewable farm in a selected location. The software can calculate the economic parameters of several types of offshore renewable energies, as follows: one renewable energy (floating offshore wind—WindFloat, tension leg platform (TLP), and spar; floating wave energy—Pelamis and AquaBuoy), hybrid offshore wind and wave systems (Wave Dragon and W2Power), and combined offshore wind and waves with different systems (independent arrays, peripherally distributed arrays, uniformly distributed arrays, and non-uniformly distributed arrays). The user can select several inputs, such as the location, configuration of the farm, type of floating offshore platform, type of power of the farm, life-cycle of the farm, electric tariff, capital cost, corporate tax, steel cost, percentage of financing, or interest and capacity of the shipyard. The case study is focused on the Galicia region (NW of Spain). The results indicate the economic feasibility of a farm of floating offshore renewable energy in a particular location in terms of its costs, levelized cost of energy (LCOE), internal rate of return (IRR), net present value (NPV), and discounted pay-back period. The tool allows for establishing conclusions about the dependence of the offshore wind resource parameters, the main distances (farm–shore, farm–shipyard, and farm–port), the parameters of the waves, and the bathymetry of the area selected.