Design of power system stabilizers using evolutionary algorithms

Includes synopsis.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 151-159).Includes bibliographical references (leaves 125-134).Over the past decades, the issue of low frequency oscillations has been of major concern to power system engineers. These oscillations range from 0.1 to 3Hz and tend to be poorly damped especially in systems equipped with high gain fast acting AVRs and highly interconnected networks. If these oscillations are not adequately damped, they may sustain and grow, which may lead to system separation and loss of power transfer

Resource optimization for fault-tolerant quantum computing

In this thesis we examine a variety of techniques for reducing the resources required for fault-tolerant quantum computation. First, we show how to simplify universal encoded computation by using only transversal gates and standard error correction procedures, circumventing existing no-go theorems. We then show how to simplify ancilla preparation, reducing the cost of error correction by more than a factor of four. Using this optimized ancilla preparation, we develop improved techniques for proving rigorous lower bounds on the noise threshold. Additional overhead can be incurred because quantum algorithms must be translated into sequences of gates that are actually available in the quantum computer. In particular, arbitrary single-qubit rotations must be decomposed into a discrete set of fault-tolerant gates. We find that by using a special class of non-deterministic circuits, the cost of decomposition can be reduced by as much as a factor of four over state-of-the-art techniques, which typically use deterministic circuits. Finally, we examine global optimization of fault-tolerant quantum circuits under physical connectivity constraints. We adapt techniques from VLSI in order to minimize time and space usage for computations in the surface code, and we develop a software prototype to demonstrate the potential savings.Comment: 231 pages, Ph.D. thesis, University of Waterlo

Motion Planning and Control for the Locomotion of Humanoid Robot

This thesis aims to contribute on the motion planning and control problem of the locomotion of humanoid robots. For the motion planning, various methods were proposed in different levels of model dependence. First, a model free approach was proposed which utilizes linear regression to estimate the relationship between foot placement and moving velocity. The data-based feature makes it quite robust to handle modeling error and external disturbance. As a generic control philosophy, it can be applied to various robots with different gaits. To reduce the risk of collecting experimental data of model-free method, based on the simplified linear inverted pendulum model, the classic planning method of model predictive control was explored to optimize CoM trajectory with predefined foot placements or optimize them two together with respect to the ZMP constraint. Along with elaborately designed re-planning algorithm and sparse discretization of trajectories, it is fast enough to run in real time and robust enough to resist external disturbance. Thereafter, nonlinear models are utilized for motion planning by performing forward simulation iteratively following the multiple shooting method. A walking pattern is predefined to fix most of the degrees of the robot, and only one decision variable, foot placement, is left in one motion plane and therefore able to be solved in milliseconds which is sufficient to run in real time. In order to track the planned trajectories and prevent the robot from falling over, diverse control strategies were proposed according to the types of joint actuators. CoM stabilizer was designed for the robots with position-controlled joints while quasi-static Cartesian impedance control and optimization-based full body torque control were implemented for the robots with torque-controlled joints. Various scenarios were set up to demonstrate the feasibility and robustness of the proposed approaches, like walking on uneven terrain, walking with narrow feet or straight leg, push recovery and so on

A novel method for power system stabilizer design

Power system stability is defined as the condition of a power system that enables it to remain in a state of operating equilibrium under normal operating conditions and to regain an acceptable state of equilibrium after being subjected to a finite disturbance. In the evaluation of stability, the focus is on the behavior of the power system when subjected to both large and small disturbances. Large disturbances are caused by severe changes in the power system, e.g. a short-circuit on a transmission line, loss of a large generator or load, loss of a tie-line between two systems. Small disturbances in the form of load changes take place continuously requiring the system to adjust to the changing conditions. The system should be capable of operating satisfactorily under these conditions and successfully supplying the maximum amount ofload. Power system stability is defined as the condition of a power system that enables it to remain in a state of operating equilibrium under normal operating conditions and to regain an acceptable state of equilibrium after being subjected to a finite disturbance. In the evaluation of stability, the focus is on the behavior of the power system when subjected to both large and small disturbances. Large disturbances are caused by severe changes in the power system, e.g. a short-circuit on a transmission line, loss of a large generator or load, loss of a tie-line between two systems. Small disturbances in the form of load changes take place continuously requiring the system to adjust to the changing conditions. The system should be capable of operating satisfactorily under these conditions and successfully supplying the maximum amount ofload. This dissertation deals with the use of Power System Stabilizers (PSS) to damp electromechanical oscillations arising from small disturbances. In particular, it focuses on three issues associated with the damping of these oscillations. These include ensuring robustness of PSS under changing operating conditions, maintaining or selecting the structure of the PSS and coordinating multiple PSS to ensure global power system robustness. To address the issues outlined above, a new PSS design/tuning method has been developed. The method, called sub-optimal Hoo PSS design/tuning, is based on Hoo control theory. For the implementation of the sub-optimal Hoo PSS design/tuning method, various standard optimization methods, such as Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP), were investigated. However, power systems typically have multiple "modes" that result in the optimization problem being non-convex in nature. To overcome the issue of non-convexity, the optimization algorithm, embedded in the 111 University of Cape Town sub-optimal Hoo PSS design/tuning method, is based on Population Based Incremental Learning (PBIL). This new sub-optimal Heo design/tuning method has a number of important features. The method allows for the selection of the PSS structure i.e. the designer can select the order and structure of the PSS. The method can be applied to the full model of the power system i.e. there is no need for using a reduced-order model. The method is based on Heo control theory i.e. it uses robustness as a key objective. The method ensures adequate damping of the electromechanical oscillations of the power system. The method is suitable for optimizing existing PSS in a power system. This method improves the overall damping of the system and does not affect the observability of the system poles. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the sUb-optimal Hoo PSS design/tuning method, a number of case studies are presented in the thesis. The sub-optimal Hoo design/tuning method is extended to allow for the coordinated tuning of multiple controllers. The ability to tune multiple controllers in a coordinated manner allows the designer to focus on the overall stability and robustness of the power system, rather than focusing just on, the local stability of the system as viewed from the generator where the controllers are connected

Continuous Open Access Special Issue "Aircraft Design": Number 2/2020

Following the successful initial Special Issue on “Aircraft Design (SI-1/2017)”, this is already the second SI “Aircraft Design (SI-2/2020)”. Activities in the past showed that aircraft design may be a field too small to justify its own (subscription-based) journal. A continuous open access special issue may fill the gap. As such, the Special Issue “Aircraft Design” can be a home for all those working in the field who regret the absence of an aircraft design journal. SI-2/2020 contains seven papers; an Editorial: 1.) "Publishing in 'Aircraft Design' with a Continuous Open Access Special Issue" and six Original Research Articles about 2.) Amphibious Aircraft Developments, 3.) Design Space Exploration of Jet Engine Components, 4.) Study of Subsonic Wing Flutter, 5.) Design Optimization of a Blended Wing Body Aircraft, 6.) Discrete Mobile Control Surfaces, 7.) Electro-Impulse De-Icing Systems

Contribution to wide area control of power systems

L'objectif principal des réseaux électriques est de convertir l'énergie d'une forme naturelle à la forme électrique et aussi de la distribuer aux clients avec la meilleure qualité. L'énergie électrique est une des formes d'énergie les plus utilisées dans l'industrie, dans les résidences, aux bureaux et dans le transport. Présentement, la complexité des réseaux électriques augmente continuellement en raison de la croissance des interconnexions et de l'utilisation des nouvelles technologies. Également, la croissance de la demande d'énergie électrique a forcé l'utilisation des réseaux électriques à leur capacité maximale et donc près de la limite de stabilité. Dans ces conditions, si le système est soumis à une perturbation, la chute de la tension ou celle de la fréquence serait très probable. Par conséquent, les équipements de contrôle, qui constituent une structure avec plusieurs niveaux de contrôle, peuvent aider les réseaux électriques à surmonter les événements imprévus. Les récentes pannes dans les réseaux électriques démontrent le besoin urgent d'une structure de contrôles multi-niveaux basés sur une technologie avec très rapide réponse appelée en anglais Wide Area Measurement and Control system (WAMAC). Présentement, le Wide Area Measurement System (WAMS) qui utilise le Global Positioning System (GPS) et la technologie satellite, joue un rôle important dans différentes parties du système de contrôle des réseaux électriques pour emp^echer les pannes globales ou locales du système. Les informations transférées par cette technologie seraient employées dans un contrôleur global appelé Wide Area Controller en anglais pour améliorer la performance dynamique des réseaux électriques pendant et après les perturbations. Donc, pour implémenter un Wide-Area Controller dans cette thèse, nous présenterons un plan multi-étapes pour l'amélioration de la stabilité du système et l'amortissement des oscillations du réseau. La première étape de ce plan serait l'estimation d'état dynamique des réseaux électriques en utilisant des phaseurs qui sont accessibles de Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU). Les angles des machines synchrones estimés à la première étape, qui pourrait nous montrer l'état des oscillations du réseau, seront utilisés comme des signaux d'entrée pour le contrôleur. La deuxième étape de notre plan est de trouver les meilleurs eplacements des dispositifs FACTS sur le réseau électrique pour augmenter la puissance transmise dans le réseau, maximiser la chargeabilité et minimiser les pertes. Après le placement optimal des dispositifs FACTS, la troisième étape consiste à implémenter le Wide-Area Controller. Ce contrôleur reçoit les états estimés, qui sont disponibles à partir des résultats de la première étape, et d'autres informations de partout dans le réseau en utilisant des PMUs. Après la vérification des signaux reçus, le contrôleur commande des contrôleurs locaux, tels que les contrôleurs des dispositifs FACTS qui ont été placés de façon optimale à la deuxième étape. Le contrôleur implémenté modifie les signaux de référence des éléments locaux pour améliorer la performance dynamique du système et amortir les oscillations du réseau.The main goal of power system is to convert the energy from one of its natural forms to the electrical form and deliver it to the costumers with the best quality. So far, the complexity of power system is continually increasing because of the growth in interconnections and use of new technologies. Also, the growth of electrical energy demand has forced the power networks to work with the maximum possible capacity and in turn near the stability limits. In this condition, if the system is subjected to a disturbance, the voltage or frequency collapse events would be more probable. Therefore the control equipments, which constitute a multi level control structure, can help the power system to overcome the contingencies. Recent collapse events in the power system networks show the urgent need for such a multi level control structure based on a rapid response technology such as Wide Area Measurement and Control (WAMAC). Nowadays, the wide area measurement and monitoring, which uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) and satellite technology, plays an important role in different parts of power system control strategies to prevent from global or local collapses. The information transferred by this technology would be employed in a master central controller, called wide area controller, to improve the power system dynamic performance during and after disturbances. From this point of view, in this thesis we will present a multi-step plan for system stability improvement and network oscillations damping by implementing a FACTS-based wide-area power oscillation damper (WA-POD) controller. The frrst step of this plan would be the dynamic state estimation of power system using the phasor measurements signals accessible from Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs). The estimated rotor angles of the synchronous machines from the first step, which could show us the network oscillations condition, will be used as the input signals of the wide-area controller. The second step of this plan is to find the best locations of FACTS devices to increase the power transmitted by network, maximize the system loadability and minimize the transmission line losses. After optimal placement of FACTS controllers, the third step is to implement a wide-area damping controller which receives the estimated rotor angles, available from the results of step one, and other information from all over the network, and then modifies the set points of optimized local control utilities such as FACTS device controllers. The implemented wide area controller, which acts as a master controller, sends the reference signals and setpoints to the local FACTS controllers such as UPFC to improve the oscillations damping performance. This result in higher transfer limits across major transmission interfaces and less blackouts in terms of frequency, duration and consequences

Single Layered Periodic Structure Loaded Textile Patch Antennas

This thesis provides an investigation of a Single Layered Periodic Structure Loaded Textile Patch Antenna with probe feed excitation. Specifically, this thesis is concentrated on the application of wearable antenna arrays with space suit, since this thesis has collaboration with the University of North Dakota (UND) Space Suit Laboratory in the Space Studies Department. Topics include; platform interaction and placement of the antenna system. The goal is to increase antenna gain by loading the antenna with periodic cells. First, an introduction to items contained within this thesis will be given. The second chapter introduces microstrip patch antennas, their basic characteristics, and their feeding excitation methods. Continuing with microstip patch antennas, and how they are viewed with their fringing field effects. Then the theoretical designs of the physical dimensions of a patch antenna relative to its electrical length are included. This part then ends with a basic introduction to periodic structures, namely Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) structures. The third chapter covers wearable antennas, with and without periodic structures, and their applications. A review of surface waves and wave modes is given. This review produces a picture of how this once un-utilized energy (i.e. surface waves) can be recycled and reused to benefit positively increased gain. This can be accomplished by use of periodic structures loaded with the antenna. The fourth chapter covers the material, manufacturing, assembling, and measuring processes of textile antennas. This range of processes is journeyed as a joint collaboration between UNDs Electrical Engineering Department\u27s Applied Electromagnetics Laboratory, and the Technology Department\u27s Machine Shop. Lastly, simulation and design of a periodic loaded patch antenna are analyzed. This begins by first designing and simulating a free standing periodic cell coined C-mirror . The simulation results for reflection and dispersion characteristics are given. A 1 GHz antenna with specifications of textile material was designed. Once this antenna was realized, it was then loaded uni-planar with periodic cells with no vias. Experiments included varying the orientation, number of rows, and the placement of the cells with respect to the antenna. It was found that the Up-Down (UD) orientation with 2 rows and λo/12 placement demonstrated the greatest increase in gain. Furthermore, surface currents were seen to interact with the periodic cells. It could be seen that the arrangement of the cells adapted a network internally with the current flowing through the cells obtaining an inductive behavior and the capacitive behavior occurred between the cells stubs as well as between the cells defined by the Periodic Boundary Conditions (PBC). This surface current behavior, with the orientation of the periodic array with no vias became known as a Uni-Planar Parasitic Loaded Patch Antenna