Multifunctional Prosthesis Control with Simulation of Myoelectric Signals

The skeletal muscle activation generates electric signals called myoelectric signals. In recent years a strong scientific activity has been developed in the recognition of limb movements from electromyography (EMG) signals recorded from non-invasive (surface) electrodes, in order to design systems for prosthetic control. Surface EMG acquire the activation of surrounding muscles and for that reason the obtained signal needs to be conditioned and processed, with pattern recognition techniques for extraction and classification. In this work EMG signals were acquired for two hand movements, “hand close” and “hand open”.  The EMG electrodes were placed on the forearm  and positioned over the extensor digitorum muscle, for the “hand open” and flexor digitorum muscle, for the “hand close”. Using MATLAB software the signal conditioning, feature extraction and classification were performed. The feature extraction process was carried with the Wavelet Packet Transform (WPT) technique and the classification process was done with two different techniques for comparison purposes, Neural Networks (NN) and Support Vector Machines (SVM). The results show that the SVM classifier used presented better classification performance compared to NN classifier used. Keywords: EMG, Signal conditioning, Wavelet Packet Transform (WPT), Neural Networks (NN), Support Vector Machines (SVM

Short-term Hydro-thermal Coordination By Lagrangian Relaxation: A New Algorithm for the Solution of the Dual Problem

For decades, researchers have been studying the unit commitment problem in electrical power generation. To solve this complex, large scale and constrained optimization (primal) problem in a direct manner is not a feasible approach, which is where Lagrangian relaxation comes in as the answer. The dual Lagrangian problem translates a relaxed problem approach, that indirectly leads to solutions of the original (primal) problem. In the coordination problem, a decomposition takes place where the global solution is achieved by coordinating between the respective subproblems solutions. This dual problem is solved iteratively, and Lagrange multipliers are updated between each iteration using subgradient methods. To tackle, time-consuming tuning tasks  or user related experience, a new adaptative algorithm, is proposed to better adjust the step-size used to update Lagrange multipliers, i.e., avoid the need to pre-select  a set of parameters. A results comparison against a traditionally employed step-size update mechanism, showed that the adaptive algorithm manages to obtain improved performances in terms of the targeted primal problem. Keywords: Hydro-Thermal coordination, Lagrangian relaxation, Lagrangian dual problem, Lagrange multipliers, Subgradient method

Current Control Optimization for Grid-tied Inverters Using Cuckoo Search Algorithm

One of the most decisive factors for a smooth and stable operation of an DC / AC converter connected to the power grid are the gains used in the current controllers. This paper proposes the use of the Cuckoo Search optimization algorithm via Lévy Flights to facilitate the determination of the optimal gains of the grid connected DC/ AC converters. With the proposed algorithm, it becomes possible to determine the optimal gains of the current controllers of the DC / AC converters connected with the grid thus improving their stability, accuracy and response time. Keywords: DC/AC converters, Cuckoo search, Optimization, Current controller

Sistemas de decisão óptima em coordenação hidrotérmica para planeamento operacional

A tese incide sobre o problema de afectação óptima de unidades e sobre os aspectos algorítmicos da sua solução, evoluindo no novo contexto da reestruturação do sector eléctrico. Para sistemas de energia eléctrica reais, o problema de afectação óptima de unidades assume grande dimensão e complexidade, que impossibilitam a sua resolução de forma directa, sendo aqui abordado recorrendo à relaxação Lagrangeana. A utilização da relaxação Lagrangeana permite resolver este problema de forma indirecta, exibindo contudo algumas dificuldades na obtenção de uma solução óptima e fazível é aqui conduzida de forma original uma análise ilustrada que evidencia quer as dificuldades deste problema ser abordado de forma directa, quer as limitações algorítmicas na obtenção da sua solução óptima utilizando relaxação Lagrangeana. Neste seguimento, é proposto um novo algoritmo que permite encontrar de forma automática a solução do problema relaxado. Evoluindo no novo contexto da reestruturação do sector eléctrico, aponta-se a estreita similaridade entre a interpretação económica destas técnicas de optimização e o mercado de energia eléctrica desregulado. Apresenta-se uma análise para diferentes cenários de mercado (regulado, desregulado e coexistência de ambos), verificando os seus comportamentos e reflectindo sobre a sua bondade. Por último, procurou-se satisfazer as exigências de optimização da exploração, no novo contexto da reestruturação do sector eléctrico, de novas empresas produtoras de energia eléctrica problema de optimização de uma central hidroeléctrica inserida num mercado desregulado

An Experimental Analysis of the Electrical Parameter Variation of a Photovoltaic Module

Photovoltaic (PV) energy has been asserting itself in recent years as a true alternative for the electricity production in the future. It is well known that the accuracy of PV parameters is crucial to achieving optimal control of PV systems under any operating conditions. Although many attempts have been made to study the operating ranges of PV parameters, this remains a  current research topic given the diversity of  PV technologies. In this paper, the PV parameters variation with irradiance and temperature levels is experimentally analysed for a polycrystalline (poly-Si) silicon PV module. The experiment considers experimental data from 130 I-V characteristic curves measured over a typical day, considering several irradiance and temperature levels in the range 29–1023 W/m2 and 19–68 °C, respectively. The results show that PV parameters vary considerably with irradiance and temperature levels for poly-Si technology. Keywords: Photovoltaic module, Photovoltaic parameters, Singe-diode model, Irradiance and temperature influenc

Hydro-wind optimal operation for joint bidding in day-ahead market: storage efficiency and impact of wind forecasting uncertainty

Wind power production is uncertain. The imbalance between committed and delivered energy in pool markets leads to the increase of system costs, which must be incurred by defaulting producers, thereby decreasing their revenues. To avoid this situation, wind producers can submit their bids together with hydro resources. Then the mismatches between the predicted and supplied wind power can be used by hydro producers, turbining or pumping such differences when convenient. This study formulates the problem of hydro-wind production optimization in operation contexts of pool market. The problem is solved for a simple three-reservoir cascade case to discuss optimization results. The results show a depreciation in optimal revenues from hydro power when wind forecasting is uncertain. The depreciation is caused by an asymmetry in optimal revenues from positive and negative wind power mismatches. The problem of neutralizing the effect of forecasting uncertainty is subsequently formulated and solved for the three-reservoir case. The results are discussed to conclude the impacts of uncertainty on joint bidding in pool market contexts.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Control and Dynamic Simulation of Linear Switched Reluctance Generators for Direct Drive Conversion Systems

This chapter addresses the dynamic simulation and control of linear switched reluctance generators for direct drive conversion systems. The electromechanical energy conversion principles of linear switched reluctance machines are briefly explained. A detailed mathematical model is developed for linear switched reluctance generators. The different types of control strategies adopted for switched reluctance generators are referred. The hysteresis controller is applied to control the conversion system with constant damping load. The proposed control strategy also includes a DC/DC isolated converter to control the system DC bus voltage by adjusting the energy flow between the conversion system and the resistive load. The mathematical model is applied to simulate the behavior of a tubular linear switched reluctance generator as power take-off system in an ocean wave point absorber device. To accomplish this task, the dynamic equations of the point absorber are presented and integrated with the linear switched reluctance generator dynamic model. In the simulation process, the system is driven by a regular ocean wave and operates with constant damping load. The system performance is evaluated for different load values, and the simulation results are presented for the optimal damping load case scenario

Controller Design and Experimental Validation of a Solar Powered E-bike Charging Station

Electric Vehicles (EV) have gained interest over the past decade. Because of this, to support EV technology installation of charging stations are required. Charging EVs from renewable energy provides a sustainable means of transport. E-bikes can help mitigate some mobility problems, particularly in large cities and metropolitan areas. This paper shows the development and implementation of a solar e-bike charging station with photovoltaic production, with energy storage system. The implemented system has a centralized control and allow an efficient management of the various resources and contemplates the possibility of four simultaneous e- bikes where user identification is performed by RFID. Finally, it is provided a user interface through an HMI panel and a web page where it will be possible to access the DataLog to consult the user activity and all charging parameters. Keywords: Renewable energy, Solar charging station, Programmable logic controller &nbsp