In the paper presented are studies on the investigation of the capillary forces effect induced in the porous structure of a loop heat pipe using water and ethanol ad test fluids. The potential application of such effect is for example in the evaporator of the domestic micro-CHP unit, where the reduction of pumping power could be obtained. Preliminary analysis of the results indicates water as having the best potential for developing the capillary effect.

Polish energy security is currently one of the key elements affecting the national security system. Maintaining operational efficiency and the permanent modernization of both, power plants, as well as transformer stations and transmission networks is a starting point of ensuring energy security in our country. This is a significant challenge, taking into account the age of the energy critical infrastructure elements in Poland, as well as the permanent increase of the demand for electricity. This implies a systematic growth of the importance of the issue the country’s energy security. The numerous events and anomalies that accompany our everyday life, such as the storms that passed over Poland on the night of August 11–12, 2017, indicate the considerable sensitivity of the critical energy infrastructure on the impact of various negative factors. The security of Polish critical infrastructure connected with the distribution of electricity is particularly at risk. Therefore, it is desirable not only for current repairs and the modernization of the power system elements, but also for the work related to adapting the infrastructure to current and even forecasted needs, challenges and threats. In the face of the presented research results, the reconstruction of the Polish power system, as well as the implementation of innovative solutions in the production, transmission and distribution of energy seems to be unavoidable. Therefore interdisciplinary research and analyses are recommended, allowing the level security of the critical infrastructure to be increased through the best possible diagnosis of factors that may even slightly threaten this security.

A three-level multi-input DC/DC converter is proposed to solve the problems of complex interface circuit structure and high economic cost for multi-source access to the joint power supply distribution system. In this structure, multiple dc sources are integrated into a three-level DC/DC converter. In comparison with the two-stage counterpart, two active switches and boost diodes are eliminated, while two blocking diodes are added to block the reverse current from the dc-link capacitors. In addition, when the input inductors work in the discontinuous conduction mode, power sharing among different input sources can be achieved by properly selecting the inductance value. The working principle of the converter is analyzed by introducing nine working modes in detail and deriving the steady-state relationship expressions. The parameter range of the element is determined and the design process of a group of dynamic parameter values is shown. Finally, the power electronics real-time simulation platform is built based on StarSim HIL and the corresponding experimental waveforms are given to verify the topology and analysis.