Automatic classification of power quality disturbances using optimal feature selection based algorithm

The development of renewable energy sources and power electronic converters in conventional power systems leads to Power Quality (PQ) disturbances. This research aims at automatic detection and classification of single and multiple PQ disturbances using a novel optimal feature selection based on Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). DWT is used for the extraction of useful features, which are used to distinguish among different PQ disturbances by an ANN classifier. The performance of the classifier solely depends on the feature vector used for the training. Therefore, this research is required for the constructive feature selection based classification system. In this study, an Artificial Bee Colony based Probabilistic Neural Network (ABCPNN) algorithm has been proposed for optimal feature selection. The most common types of single PQ disturbances include sag, swell, interruption, harmonics, oscillatory and impulsive transients, flicker, notch and spikes. Moreover, multiple disturbances consisting of combination of two disturbances are also considered. The DWT with multi-resolution analysis has been applied to decompose the PQ disturbance waveforms into detail and approximation coefficients at level eight using Daubechies wavelet family. Various types of statistical parameters of all the detail and approximation coefficients have been analysed for feature extraction, out of which the optimal features have been selected using ABC algorithm. The performance of the proposed algorithm has been analysed with different architectures of ANN such as multilayer perceptron and radial basis function neural network. The PNN has been found to be the most suitable classifier. The proposed algorithm is tested for both PQ disturbances obtained from the parametric equations and typical power distribution system models using MATLAB/Simulink and PSCAD/EMTDC. The PQ disturbances with uniformly distributed noise ranging from 20 to 50 dB have also been analysed. The experimental results show that the proposed ABC-PNN based approach is capable of efficiently eliminating unnecessary features to improve the accuracy and performance of the classifier

Power system stability scanning and security assessment using machine learning

Future grids planning requires a major departure from conventional power system planning, where only a handful of the most critical scenarios is analyzed. To account for a wide range of possible future evolutions, scenario analysis has been proposed in many industries. As opposed to the conventional power system planning, where the aim is to find an optimal transmission and/or generation expansion plan for an existing grid, the aim in future grids scenario analysis is to analyze possible evolution pathways to inform power system planning and policy making. Therefore, future grids’ planning may involve large amount of scenarios and the existing planning tools may no longer suitable. Other than the raised future grids’ planning issues, operation of future grids using conventional tools is also challenged by the new features of future grids such as intermittent generation, demand response and fast responding power electronic plants which lead to much more diverse operation conditions compared to the existing networks. Among all operation issues, monitoring stability as well as security of a power system and action with deliberated preventive or remedial adjustment is of vital important. On- line Dynamic Security Assessment (DSA) can evaluate security of a power system almost instantly when current or imminent operation conditions are supplied. The focus of this dissertation are, for future grid planning, to develop a framework using Machine Learning (ML) to effectively assess the security of future grids by analyzing a large amount of the scenarios; for future grids operation, to propose approaches to address technique issues brought by future grids’ diverse operation conditions using ML techniques. Unsupervised learning, supervised learning and semi-supervised learning techniques are utilized in a set of proposed planning and operation security assessment tools

Black-box modeling of nonlinear system using evolutionary neural NARX model

Nonlinear systems with uncertainty and disturbance are very difficult to model using mathematic approach. Therefore, a black-box modeling approach without any prior knowledge is necessary. There are some modeling approaches have been used to develop a black box model such as fuzzy logic, neural network, and evolution algorithms. In this paper, an evolutionary neural network by combining a neural network and a modified differential evolution algorithm is applied to model a nonlinear system. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed modeling are tested on a piezoelectric actuator SISO system and an experimental quadruple tank MIMO system

Dynamic Stability with Artificial Intelligence in Smart Grids

Environmental concerns are among the main drives of the energy transition in power systems. Smart grids are the natural evolution of power systems to become more efficient and sustainable. This modernization coincides with the vast and wide integration of energy generation and storage systems dependent on power electronics. At the same time, the low inertia power electronics, introduce new challenges in power system dynamics. In fact, the synchronisation capabilities of power systems are threatened by the emergence of new oscillations and the displacement of conventional solutions for ensuring the stability of power systems. This necessitates an equal modernization of the methods to maintain the rotor angle stability in the future smart grids. The applications of artificial intelligence in power systems are constantly increasing. The thesis reviews the most relevant works for monitoring, predicting, and controlling the rotor angle stability of power systems and presents a novel controller for power oscillation damping

Analysis of physiological signals using machine learning methods

Technological advances in data collection enable scientists to suggest novel approaches, such as Machine Learning algorithms, to process and make sense of this information. However, during this process of collection, data loss and damage can occur for reasons such as faulty device sensors or miscommunication. In the context of time-series data such as multi-channel bio-signals, there is a possibility of losing a whole channel. In such cases, existing research suggests imputing the missing parts when the majority of data is available. One way of understanding and classifying complex signals is by using deep neural networks. The hyper-parameters of such models have been optimised using the process of back propagation. Over time, improvements have been suggested to enhance this algorithm. However, an essential drawback of the back propagation can be the sensitivity to noisy data. This thesis proposes two novel approaches to address the missing data challenge and back propagation drawbacks: First, suggesting a gradient-free model in order to discover the optimal hyper-parameters of a deep neural network. The complexity of deep networks and high-dimensional optimisation parameters presents challenges to find a suitable network structure and hyper-parameter configuration. This thesis proposes the use of a minimalist swarm optimiser, Dispersive Flies Optimisation(DFO), to enable the selected model to achieve better results in comparison with the traditional back propagation algorithm in certain conditions such as limited number of training samples. The DFO algorithm offers a robust search process for finding and determining the hyper-parameter configurations. Second, imputing whole missing bio-signals within a multi-channel sample. This approach comprises two experiments, namely the two-signal and five-signal imputation models. The first experiment attempts to implement and evaluate the performance of a model mapping bio-signals from A toB and vice versa. Conceptually, this is an extension to transfer learning using CycleGenerative Adversarial Networks (CycleGANs). The second experiment attempts to suggest a mechanism imputing missing signals in instances where multiple data channels are available for each sample. The capability to map to a target signal through multiple source domains achieves a more accurate estimate for the target domain. The results of the experiments performed indicate that in certain circumstances, such as having a limited number of samples, finding the optimal hyper-parameters of a neural network using gradient-free algorithms outperforms traditional gradient-based algorithms, leading to more accurate classification results. In addition, Generative Adversarial Networks could be used to impute the missing data channels in multi-channel bio-signals, and the generated data used for further analysis and classification tasks

Dynamic stability with artificial intelligence in smart grids

Environmental concerns are among the main drives of the energy transition in power systems. Smart grids are the natural evolution of power systems to become more efficient and sustainable. This modernization coincides with the vast and wide integration of energy generation and storage systems dependent on power electronics. At the same time, the low inertia power electronics, introduce new challenges in power system dynamics. In fact, the synchronisation capabilities of power systems are threatened by the emergence of new oscillations and the displacement of conventional solutions for ensuring the stability of power systems. This necessitates an equal modernization of the methods to maintain the rotor angle stability in the future smart grids. The applications of artificial intelligence in power systems are constantly increasing. The thesis reviews the most relevant works for monitoring, predicting, and controlling the rotor angle stability of power systems and presents a novel controller for power oscillation damping

THE STABILITY ANALYSIS FOR WIND TURBINES WITH DOUBLY FED INDUCTION GENERATORS

The quickly increasing, widespread use of wind generation around the world reduces carbon emissions, decreases the effects of global warming, and lowers dependence on fossil fuels. However, the growing penetration of wind power requires more effort to maintain power systems stability. This dissertation focuses on developing a novel algorithm which dynamically optimizes the proportional-integral (PI) controllers of a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) driven by a wind turbine to increase the transient performance based on small signal stability analysis. Firstly, the impact of wind generation is introduced. The stability of power systems with wind generation is described, including the different wind generator technologies, and the challenges in high wind penetration conditions. Secondly, the small signal stability analysis model of wind turbines with DFIG is developed, including detailed rotor/grid side converter models, and the interface with the power grid. Thirdly, Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is selected to off-line calculate the optimal parameters of DFIG PI gains to maximize the damping ratios of system eigenvalues in different wind speeds. Based on the historical data, the artificial neural networks (ANNs) are designed, trained, and have the ability to quickly forecast the optimal parameters. The ANN controllers are designed to dynamically adjust PI gains online. Finally, system studies have been provided for a single machine connected to an infinite bus system (SMIB), a single machine connected to a weak grid (SMWG), and a multi machine system (MMS), respectively. A detailed analysis for MMS with different wind penetration levels has been shown according to grid code. Moreover, voltage stability improvement and grid loss reduction in IEEE 34-bus distribution system, including WT-DFIG under unbalanced heavy loading conditions, are investigated. The simulation results show the algorithm can greatly reduce low frequency oscillations and improve transient performance of DFIGs system. It realizes off-line optimization of MMS, online forecasts the optimal PI gains, and adaptively adjusts PI gains. The results also provide some useful conclusions and explorations for wind generation design, operations, and connection to the power grid. Advisors: Sohrab Asgarpoor and Wei Qia

THE STABILITY ANALYSIS FOR WIND TURBINES WITH DOUBLY FED INDUCTION GENERATORS

The quickly increasing, widespread use of wind generation around the world reduces carbon emissions, decreases the effects of global warming, and lowers dependence on fossil fuels. However, the growing penetration of wind power requires more effort to maintain power systems stability. This dissertation focuses on developing a novel algorithm which dynamically optimizes the proportional-integral (PI) controllers of a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) driven by a wind turbine to increase the transient performance based on small signal stability analysis. Firstly, the impact of wind generation is introduced. The stability of power systems with wind generation is described, including the different wind generator technologies, and the challenges in high wind penetration conditions. Secondly, the small signal stability analysis model of wind turbines with DFIG is developed, including detailed rotor/grid side converter models, and the interface with the power grid. Thirdly, Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is selected to off-line calculate the optimal parameters of DFIG PI gains to maximize the damping ratios of system eigenvalues in different wind speeds. Based on the historical data, the artificial neural networks (ANNs) are designed, trained, and have the ability to quickly forecast the optimal parameters. The ANN controllers are designed to dynamically adjust PI gains online. Finally, system studies have been provided for a single machine connected to an infinite bus system (SMIB), a single machine connected to a weak grid (SMWG), and a multi machine system (MMS), respectively. A detailed analysis for MMS with different wind penetration levels has been shown according to grid code. Moreover, voltage stability improvement and grid loss reduction in IEEE 34-bus distribution system, including WT-DFIG under unbalanced heavy loading conditions, are investigated. The simulation results show the algorithm can greatly reduce low frequency oscillations and improve transient performance of DFIGs system. It realizes off-line optimization of MMS, online forecasts the optimal PI gains, and adaptively adjusts PI gains. The results also provide some useful conclusions and explorations for wind generation design, operations, and connection to the power grid. Advisors: Sohrab Asgarpoor and Wei Qia

A Review of Classification Problems and Algorithms in Renewable Energy Applications

Classification problems and their corresponding solving approaches constitute one of the fields of machine learning. The application of classification schemes in Renewable Energy (RE) has gained significant attention in the last few years, contributing to the deployment, management and optimization of RE systems. The main objective of this paper is to review the most important classification algorithms applied to RE problems, including both classical and novel algorithms. The paper also provides a comprehensive literature review and discussion on different classification techniques in specific RE problems, including wind speed/power prediction, fault diagnosis in RE systems, power quality disturbance classification and other applications in alternative RE systems. In this way, the paper describes classification techniques and metrics applied to RE problems, thus being useful both for researchers dealing with this kind of problem and for practitioners of the field