Event Analysis of Pulse-reclosers in Distribution Systems Through Sparse Representation

The pulse-recloser uses pulse testing technology to verify that the line is clear of faults before initiating a reclose operation, which significantly reduces stress on the system components (e.g. substation transformers) and voltage sags on adjacent feeders. Online event analysis of pulse-reclosers are essential to increases the overall utility of the devices, especially when there are numerous devices installed throughout the distribution system. In this paper, field data recorded from several devices were analyzed to identify specific activity and fault locations. An algorithm is developed to screen the data to identify the status of each pole and to tag time windows with a possible pulse event. In the next step, selected time windows are further analyzed and classified using a sparse representation technique by solving an l1-regularized least-square problem. This classification is obtained by comparing the pulse signature with the reference dictionary to find a set that most closely matches the pulse features. This work also sheds additional light on the possibility of fault classification based on the pulse signature. Field data collected from a distribution system are used to verify the effectiveness and reliability of the proposed method.Comment: Accepted in: 19th International Conference on Intelligent System Application to Power Systems (ISAP), San Antonio, TX, 201

Fault Location, Isolation and Network Restoration as a Self-Healing function

One of the main emphasis of the smart grid is the interaction of power supply and power customer in order to provide a reliable supply of power as well as to improve the flexibility of the network. Along with this, the increased energy demand, coupled with strict regulations on the quality and reliability of supply intensifies the pressure on distribution network operators to maintain the integrity of the network in its faultless operation mode. Additionally, regardless of the huge investments already made in replacing aging infrastructure and translating “the old-fashioned grid” in a “Smart Grid” to minimize the probability for equipment failure, the chances of failure cannot be completely eliminated. In accordance, in the event of faults in the network, apart from the high penalty costs in which network operators may incur, certain safety factors must be taken into consideration for particular customers (for example, hospitals). In view of that, there is a necessity to minimize the impact on customers without supply and maintain outages times as brief as possible. Within this scenario comes the concept of self-healing grid as one of the key-technologies in the smart grid environment which is partly due to the rapid development of distribution automation. Self-healing refers to the capacity of the smart grid to restore efficiently and automatically power after an outage. Self-healing main goals comprise supply maximum load affected by the fault, take the shortest time period possible for restoration of the load, minimizing the number of switching operations and keeping the network capacity within its operating limits. This research has explored insights into the smart grid in terms of the self-healing functionality within the distribution network with main emphasis on self-healing implementation types and its applicability. Initially a detailed review of the conception of the smart grid in order to integrate the self-healing and thus fault location, isolation and service restoration capabilities was conducted. This was complemented with a detailed discussion about the electricity distribution system automatic fault management in order to create a framework around which the aim of the research is based. Finally the self-healing problem coupled with current practical implementation cases was addressed with the objective of exploring the means of improvement and evolution in the automation level in the distribution network using Fault Location Isolation and Service Restoration (FLISR) applicability as a medium

Automated transmission line fault analysis the SMT method

Analyzing faults from transmission lines automatically using a computer is a complex, multi-step process that takes a literal understanding of how the computer reads the data. While there are many ways to approach this problem (e.g.. Inductance Calculation), the Square Mean Test method allows for quick, and efficient calculations of any files read in from Intelliruptors. These calculations are then grouped and classified together outside of this project to prioritize faults that need to be looked at

Novel Decentralized Operation Schemes for Smart Distribution Systems

Recently, there have been many initiatives to incorporate advanced controls, two way communications, digital technologies and advanced power system components in the operation and control of power distribution systems. These initiatives are aiming to realize what becomes known as the “Smart grid”. It is expected that a Smart Grid will lead to enhancement in the reliability and efficiency of the power system. The movement towards the Smart Grid is motivated by many factors; the need to integrate more renewable power to mitigate the global warming, the increasing interest in connecting more distributed generation (DG) as a way to postpone large investment in transmission and bulk generation, and the need to increase the reliability of the power system overall to minimize disturbance costs. It is the overall goal of this research to introduce novel distribution system operation techniques to assist in the effort of realizing the “Smart Distribution System” in both normal and system restoration modes. In particular, three main operation functions are dealt with in this research work; Voltage Control, Reactive Power Control and Distribution System Restoration. First for Voltage Control, a reliable and efficient method is proposed to control voltage regulators in order to enable the regulation of multiple feeders with diversified loads using only one regulator provided that no DG is connected to the feeders. Regulator’s tap is selected based on the solution of an integer linear optimization problem. The method has a closed form solution for the optimal tap; that is valuable for real time operation. In addition, necessary condition for feasible solutions is examined. Next, a novel coordinated voltage control scheme is proposed to enable the voltage regulator to efficiently regulate the voltage of multiple feeders in the presence of DGs. The proposed technique is based on placing a Remote Terminal Unit (RTUs) at each DG and each line capacitor. These RTUs coordinate together, through communication, and form a multi-agent system. An important contribution of this research is that the proposed scheme provides the minimum hardware requirement to efficiently estimate the voltage profile of a feeder with DGs. The proposed scheme enables the integration of more DGs into the system by, efficiently, coordinating the operation of voltage regulators and DGs to mitigate voltage rise problem caused by the connection of DGs to the system. Second, for Reactive Power Control, a decentralized reactive power control scheme is proposed to optimally control switched shunt capacitors of the system in order to minimize system losses and maintain acceptable voltage profile. The proposed algorithm provides capacitors with “Advanced Voltage Sensing” capability to enable capacitors to switch in and out according to the global minimum and maximum voltage of the feeder. The proposed technique utilizes the same RTU used for voltage control and relies on the voltage profile estimation technique proposed in this research for the coordinated voltage control. In addition, novel decentralized algorithm is proposed to estimate the feeder voltage profile change as a result of injecting reactive power at the capacitor bus. The proposed reactive power control scheme can be used to coordinate the operation of any number of capacitors connected to the distribution system. Combining voltage control and reactive power control schemes, generalized coordinated voltage control is proposed to coordinate between DGs, shunt capacitors and voltage regulators in order to achieve optimal voltage control for the distribution system and solve the steady state voltage rise problem caused by the connection of DGs, hence, allowing more DGs to be connected to the system. Over and above, the proposed generalized coordinated voltage control enables the realization of a new operation-time DG connection impact assessment concept. Based on this concept, the system will carry out a real-time assessment and decide, based on the available control actions, the maximum DG power that can be allowed to connect to the system at particular operating conditions. This new concept will allow great flexibility to the connection of DGs, most notably, when, due to a change in system configuration, the DG is needed to be connected to a feeder other than the one it was planned for during the planning stage. The last operation function dealt with in this research work is the distribution system restoration. Novel decentralized distribution system restoration scheme is proposed. The proposed scheme is based on dividing the distribution system into zones based on the availability of disconnecting switches. Each zone is controlled by an Agent. The restoration is done based on the coordination between these Agents. Proposed communication protocols between Agents are discussed in details. The goal of the proposed restoration scheme is to maximize the restored power while preserving the radial structure of the distribution system and without exceeding the thermal limit of any equipment in the system. As the proposed technique does not assume any supervision from any central point, this technique will enable the realization of a self-healing distribution system restoration

Flexible power distribution technique and P2P energy trading in active distribution networks

With the increasing severity of the greenhouse effect, the depletion of fossil fuels, and the deterioration of human living environment, the development, and continuation of society are facing unprecedented crises. Energy issues are inextricably linked to global economic and social development, as well as the development of an ecological civilisation. The traditional alternating current (AC) power distribution network was a passive system with conventional operation, control, and management, making it difficult to meet the increasing demand for high-reliability electricity supply, active energy management, and flexible and open energy market. To address the three critical issues of ecological sustainability, market openness, and energy security in the energy industry, flexible power distribution techniques and distributed localised energy solutions, such as Soft Open Points (SOPs), AC/DC hybrid electricity network, and peer to peer electricity trading have emerged as new research topics. These emerged technologies are aimed at creating a power distribution network with high intelligence, robustness, and reliability to adapt to access requirements from large-scale distributed energy resources (DERs). In this thesis, SOPs are used to achieve adaptive service restoration and improve the threephase imbalance in ADNs. The impact of faults of varying duration on the network with SOPs at distribution levels is investigated, followed by potential solutions of network reconfiguration using SOPs to improve the three-phase imbalance. The potential of SOPs is first explored via a new method of connection, entitled phase power transfer, also known as phase-changing SOP (PC-SOP). Based on the proposed two-terminal PC-SOP, an optimised operational strategy is proposed for unbalanced ADNs based on different types of SOPs (SOP with bifurcation connection and multi-terminal SOP). It is also attempted to employ AC/DC hybrid networks and optimal ESSs dispatch to decrease the three-phase four-wire imbalances while improving the operational efficiency of active distribution networks (ADNs). Finally a new P2P market architecture is designed based on the dynamic power flow tracing technique. The complete potential of the P2P market is investigated where the analogy of a "cocktail-layered" energy market is utilised to illustrate market segmentation

Aspects industriels de la gestion de tension et la capacité d'accueil de la génération photovoltaïque dans les réseaux basse tension

In this thesis, voltage measurements provided by the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) are used to control an on-load tap changer located at the secondary substation. The thesis presents a practical and a straightforward method of selecting the low voltage customers whose voltage measurements are used as an input to the controller of the on-load tap changer. The developed method takes into account the load and the topology of the network. Furthermore, a simple method of creating synthetic and statistically correct load curves for networks studies is presented. The created methods have been tested by using real data of low voltage networks on a common platform in the power distribution industry leading to encouraging results; a few customers per low voltage network should be monitored in order to achieve accurate voltage measurements.This methodology is further applied to estimate the hosting capacity of photovoltaic power generation in a given low voltage network.In the first part, the evolution of the hosting capacity by using three different types of voltage control; an on-load tap changer of five and nine tap positions and voltage control through photovoltaic power generators, is studied. The study considers two different cases for placing and sizing the photovoltaic generators in a low voltage network. The results of 38 low voltage networks are provided.In the second part, the hosting capacities of 631 low voltage networks, located in a French metropolitan area, are analysed by using an on-load tap changer of five and an on-load tap changer of nine tap positions.The work has been together with Électricité Réseau Distribution France (ERDF), the major French distribution system operator. All studies presented in the thesis are based on the real operational data of the company. Moreover, all studies are implemented on a platform that is widely used in the power distribution industry.As an introductory part to low voltage networks, the thesis provides a general view about the French power system. In addition, the thesis presents a number of selected technologies considering low voltage networks that seem promising in the future.Dans cette thèse, les mesures de tension fournies par l'infrastructure de comptage avancé (Advanced Metering Infrastructure, AMI) sont utilisées pour contrôler un régleur en charge situé à la sous station HTA/BT. La thèse présente une méthode simple permettant de sélectionner les clients basse tension pour lesquels les mesures de tension sont utilisées comme une entrée au contrôleur du régleur en charge. Le procédé mis au point tient compte de la charge et de la topologie du réseau. En outre, une méthode simple pour créer des courbes réalistes et statistiquement correctes pour les études de réseaux est présenté. Les méthodes créées ont été testées en utilisant des données réelles de réseaux basse tension sur un logiciel très utilisé dans le secteur de la distribution d'électricité ont conduit à des résultats encourageants; quelques clients par réseau basse tension doivent être surveillés afin d’estimer avec une grande précision où se situe les extremums de tension sur le réseau.Cette méthodologie est également utilisée pour estimer la capacité d'accueil de génération d'énergie photovoltaïque dans un réseau à basse tension donné.Dans la première partie, l'évolution de la capacité d'accueil en utilisant trois types de contrôle de tension différents; un régleur en charge de cinq et neuf positions et le contrôle de la tension à travers les générateurs photovoltaïques, sont étudiés. L'étude considère deux cas différents pour le placement et le dimensionnement des générateurs photovoltaïques dans un réseau basse tension. Les résultats sur 38 réseaux basse tension sont fournis.Dans la deuxième partie, les capacités d'accueil de 631 réseaux basse tension, situés dans une région métropolitaine française, sont analysés en utilisant un régleur en charge de cinq et neuf positions.Le travail a été réalisé en collaboration avec Électricité Réseau Distribution France (ERDF), le principal opérateur du réseau de distribution français. Toutes les études présentées dans la thèse reposent sur les données réelles de fonctionnement normal. En outre, toutes les études sont mises en œuvre sur un logiciel largement utilisé dans l'industrie de la distribution d'énergie.Comme une partie introductive aux réseaux basse tension, la thèse fournit une vue générale sur le système électrique français. De plus, la thèse présente un certain nombre de technologies sélectionnés en tenant compte des réseaux basse-tension qui semblent prometteurs pour le futur

Aspects industriels de la gestion de tension et la capacité d'accueil de la génération photovoltaïque dans les réseaux basse tension

In this thesis, voltage measurements provided by the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) are used to control an on-load tap changer located at the secondary substation. The thesis presents a practical and a straightforward method of selecting the low voltage customers whose voltage measurements are used as an input to the controller of the on-load tap changer. The developed method takes into account the load and the topology of the network. Furthermore, a simple method of creating synthetic and statistically correct load curves for networks studies is presented. The created methods have been tested by using real data of low voltage networks on a common platform in the power distribution industry leading to encouraging results; a few customers per low voltage network should be monitored in order to achieve accurate voltage measurements.This methodology is further applied to estimate the hosting capacity of photovoltaic power generation in a given low voltage network.In the first part, the evolution of the hosting capacity by using three different types of voltage control; an on-load tap changer of five and nine tap positions and voltage control through photovoltaic power generators, is studied. The study considers two different cases for placing and sizing the photovoltaic generators in a low voltage network. The results of 38 low voltage networks are provided.In the second part, the hosting capacities of 631 low voltage networks, located in a French metropolitan area, are analysed by using an on-load tap changer of five and an on-load tap changer of nine tap positions.The work has been together with Électricité Réseau Distribution France (ERDF), the major French distribution system operator. All studies presented in the thesis are based on the real operational data of the company. Moreover, all studies are implemented on a platform that is widely used in the power distribution industry.As an introductory part to low voltage networks, the thesis provides a general view about the French power system. In addition, the thesis presents a number of selected technologies considering low voltage networks that seem promising in the future.Dans cette thèse, les mesures de tension fournies par l'infrastructure de comptage avancé (Advanced Metering Infrastructure, AMI) sont utilisées pour contrôler un régleur en charge situé à la sous station HTA/BT. La thèse présente une méthode simple permettant de sélectionner les clients basse tension pour lesquels les mesures de tension sont utilisées comme une entrée au contrôleur du régleur en charge. Le procédé mis au point tient compte de la charge et de la topologie du réseau. En outre, une méthode simple pour créer des courbes réalistes et statistiquement correctes pour les études de réseaux est présenté. Les méthodes créées ont été testées en utilisant des données réelles de réseaux basse tension sur un logiciel très utilisé dans le secteur de la distribution d'électricité ont conduit à des résultats encourageants; quelques clients par réseau basse tension doivent être surveillés afin d’estimer avec une grande précision où se situe les extremums de tension sur le réseau.Cette méthodologie est également utilisée pour estimer la capacité d'accueil de génération d'énergie photovoltaïque dans un réseau à basse tension donné.Dans la première partie, l'évolution de la capacité d'accueil en utilisant trois types de contrôle de tension différents; un régleur en charge de cinq et neuf positions et le contrôle de la tension à travers les générateurs photovoltaïques, sont étudiés. L'étude considère deux cas différents pour le placement et le dimensionnement des générateurs photovoltaïques dans un réseau basse tension. Les résultats sur 38 réseaux basse tension sont fournis.Dans la deuxième partie, les capacités d'accueil de 631 réseaux basse tension, situés dans une région métropolitaine française, sont analysés en utilisant un régleur en charge de cinq et neuf positions.Le travail a été réalisé en collaboration avec Électricité Réseau Distribution France (ERDF), le principal opérateur du réseau de distribution français. Toutes les études présentées dans la thèse reposent sur les données réelles de fonctionnement normal. En outre, toutes les études sont mises en œuvre sur un logiciel largement utilisé dans l'industrie de la distribution d'énergie.Comme une partie introductive aux réseaux basse tension, la thèse fournit une vue générale sur le système électrique français. De plus, la thèse présente un certain nombre de technologies sélectionnés en tenant compte des réseaux basse-tension qui semblent prometteurs pour le futur

Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution showing the operations, expenditures, and condition of the Institution to July, 1896, Pt 1.

Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution. 1 July. HD 352 (pts. 1 and 2), 54-2, v72-73, 1909p. (3548-3549] Research related to the American Indian

11th International Coral Reef Symposium Proceedings

A defining theme of the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium was that the news for coral reef ecosystems are far from encouraging. Climate change happens now much faster than in an ice-age transition, and coral reefs continue to suffer fever-high temperatures as well as sour ocean conditions. Corals may be falling behind, and there appears to be no special silver bullet remedy. Nevertheless, there are hopeful signs that we should not despair. Reef ecosystems respond vigorously to protective measures and alleviation of stress. For concerned scientists, managers, conservationists, stakeholders, students, and citizens, there is a great role to play in continuing to report on the extreme threat that climate change represents to earth’s natural systems. Urgent action is needed to reduce CO2 emissions. In the interim, we can and must buy time for coral reefs through increased protection from sewage, sediment, pollutants, overfishing, development, and other stressors, all of which we know can damage coral health. The time to act is now. The canary in the coral-coal mine is dead, but we still have time to save the miners. We need effective management rooted in solid interdisciplinary science and coupled with stakeholder buy in, working at local, regional, and international scales alongside global efforts to give reefs a chance.https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_icrs/1000/thumbnail.jp