Benchmarking and optimisation of Simulink code using Real-Time Workshop and Embedded Coder for inverter and microgrid control applications

When creating software for a new power systems control or protection device, the use of auto-generated C code via MATLAB Simulink Real-Time Workshop and Embedded Coder toolboxes can be a sensible alternative to hand written C code. This approach offers the benefits of a simulation environment, platform independence and robust code. This paper briefly summarises recent experiences with this coding process including the pros and cons of such an approach. Extensive benchmarking activities are presented, together with descriptions of simple (but non-obvious) optimisations made as a result of the benchmarking. Examples include replacement of certain Simulink blocks with seemingly more complex blocks which execute faster. "S functions" are also designed for certain key algorithms. These must be fully "in-lined" to obtain the best speed performance. Together, these optimisations can lead to an increase in execution speed of more than 1.4x in a large piece of auto-generated C code. An example is presented, which carries out Fourier analysis of 3 signals at a common (variable) frequency. The overall speed improvement relative to the baseline is 2.3x, of which more than 1.4x is due to non-obvious improvements resulting from benchmarking activities. Such execution speed improvements allow higher frame rates or larger algorithms within inverters, drives, protection and control applications

Implications of fault current limitation for electrical distribution networks

This paper explores the potential future need for fault current limitation in the UK's power system, and some of the technical implications of this change. It is estimated that approximately 300-400 distribution substations will require fault current limitation, based on the statistical analysis of the projected fault level "headroom" (or violation). The analysis uses a UK electrical system scenario that satisfies the Government's target for an 80% cut in CO2 emissions by 2050. A case study involving the connection of distributed generation (DG) via a superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) is used to illustrate the potential protection and control issues. In particular, DG fault ride-through, autoreclosure schemes, and transformer inrush current can be problematic for SFCLs that require a recovery period. The potential solutions to these issues are discussed, such as the use of islanding or automation to reduce the fault level

Wide area protection and fault location : review and evaluation of PMU-based methods

Wide area protection (WAP) systems use multiple sources of information to improve trip times and reduce the complexity of protection settings. Therefore, such communications-enhanced schemes have the potential to replace conventional transmission system backup protection. Through review and assessment of the present state-of-the-art relating to WAP systems, this paper demonstrates how multiple synchrophasor data sources, and the associated communications systems, can be leveraged to enable new forms of supervisory protection. Two case studies are presented: a scalable WAP architecture for future decentralised power systems, and the validation a prototype WAP system, using the principle of distributed photonic sensing, highlighting how new tools can provide cost-effective solutions to emerging protection challenges

Impact of realistic communications for fast-acting demand side management

The rising penetration of intermittent energy resources is increasing the need for more diverse electrical energy resources that are able to support ancillary services. Demand side management (DSM) has a significant potential to fulfil this role but several challenges are still impeding the wide-scale integration of DSM. One of the major challenges is ensuring the performance of the networks that enable communications between control centres and the end DSM resources. This paper presents an analysis of all communications networks that typically participate in the activation of DSM, and provides an estimate for the overall latency that these networks incur. The most significant sources of delay from each of the components of the communications network are identified which allows the most critical aspects to be determined. This analysis therefore offers a detailed evaluation of the performance of DSM resources in the scope of providing real-time ancillary services. It is shown that, using available communications technologies, DSM can be used to provide primary frequency support services. In some cases, Neighbourhood Area Networks (NANs) may add significant delay, requiring careful choice of the technologies deployed

Minimising the impact of disturbances in future highly-distributed power systems

It is expected that future power systems will require radical distributed control approaches to accommodate the significant expansion of renewable energy sources and other flexible grid devices. It is important to rapidly and efficiently respond to disturbances by, for example: utilising adaptive, wide-area protection schemes; proactive control of available grid resources (such as managing the fault level contribution from converter-interfaced generation) to optimise protection functionality; and taking post-fault action to ensure protection stability and optimal system operation. This paper analyses and highlights the protection functions which will be especially important to minimising the impact of disturbances in future power systems. These functions include: fast-acting wide-area protection methods using Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs); adaptive and “self-organising” protection under varying system conditions; protection with distributed Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs); enhanced fault ride-through; and pattern recognition based schemes. In particular, the paper illustrates how the increased availability of measurements and communications can enable improved protection functionality within distribution systems, which is especially important to accommodate the connection of highly-distributed generation at medium- and low-voltages

Review of approaches for using synchrophasor data for real-time wide-area control

Due to the changing nature of power systems—with reduced electrical inertia and the prevalence of smaller controllable power resources rather than large generators—new control approaches are required to mitigate disturbances. Ubiquitous measurements and communications networks can beleveraged to accelerate and provide a targeted, real-time response in such future systems. However, autonomous control of power systems requires dependable measurements. This paper provides a review of state of the art approaches to real-time power system control using synchrophasor measurements. In particular, examples are given involving recent developments in frequency regulation. Through a case study, it is shown how laboratories can be linked using Software-Defined Networking technologies to conveniently share resources in order to realistically and comprehensively validate synchrophasor-based control systems

Molecular mechanisms of HIV Type 1 prophylaxis failure revealed by Single-genome sequencing

Trials of HIV-1 pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis show promise. Here, we describe a novel strategy for deciphering mechanisms of prophylaxis failure that could improve therapeutic outcomes. A healthcare worker began antiretroviral prophylaxis immediately after a high-risk needlestick injury but nonetheless became viremic 11 weeks later. Single genome sequencing of plasma viral RNA identified 15 drug-sensitive transmitted/founder HIV-1 genomes responsible for productive infection. Sequences emanating from these genomes exhibited extremely low diversity, suggesting virus sequestration as opposed to low-level replication as the cause of breakthrough infection. Identification of transmitted/founder viruses allows for genome-wide assessment of molecular mechanisms of prophylaxis failure

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Motor Cortex Activation in Schizophrenia

Previous fMRI studies of sensorimotor activation in schizophrenia have found in some cases hypoactivity, no difference, or hyperactivity when comparing patients with controls; similar disagreement exists in studies of motor laterality. In this multi-site fMRI study of a sensorimotor task in individuals with chronic schizophrenia and matched healthy controls, subjects responded with a right-handed finger press to an irregularly flashing visual checker board. The analysis includes eighty-five subjects with schizophrenia diagnosed according to the DSM-IV criteria and eighty-six healthy volunteer subjects. Voxel-wise statistical parametric maps were generated for each subject and analyzed for group differences; the percent Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) signal changes were also calculated over predefined anatomical regions of the primary sensory, motor, and visual cortex. Both healthy controls and subjects with schizophrenia showed strongly lateralized activation in the precentral gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, and inferior parietal lobule, and strong activations in the visual cortex. There were no significant differences between subjects with schizophrenia and controls in this multi-site fMRI study. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in laterality found between healthy controls and schizophrenic subjects. This study can serve as a baseline measurement of schizophrenic dysfunction in other cognitive processes

Observation of hard scattering in photoproduction events with a large rapidity gap at HERA

Events with a large rapidity gap and total transverse energy greater than 5 GeV have been observed in quasi-real photoproduction at HERA with the ZEUS detector. The distribution of these events as a function of the $\gamma p$ centre of mass energy is consistent with diffractive scattering. For total transverse energies above 12 GeV, the hadronic final states show predominantly a two-jet structure with each jet having a transverse energy greater than 4 GeV. For the two-jet events, little energy flow is found outside the jets. This observation is consistent with the hard scattering of a quasi-real photon with a colourless object in the proton.Comment: 19 pages, latex, 4 figures appended as uuencoded fil