UNIVERSAL MICROPROCESSOR CONTROLLED POWER REGULATOR WITH AND WITHOUT ADDITIONAL POWER SUPPLY

Inexpensive microcontrollers allow complex control methodologies for improving well-established technologies such as resistive lighting. In this paper, we present two constructions of a microprocessor controlled power regulator for resistive load of up to 2.5 kW and exemplify its use for the lamps in Tesla’s Fountain reconstruction project. These are universal power controllers and could be applied to a wide verity of non-inductive loads, but our primary intention was to construct a miniature light regulator with touch sensor for Tesla’s Fountain. The devices operate using the phase control of the power grid’s alternating current and controlled fade-in to increase lamp longevity. Extensive testing shows the device to operate successfully for 2400 hours of continuous error-free operation, to robustly handle high cycling stresses and increase bulb lifetimes by approximately a factor of 7-8. The microcontroller software can easily be adapted for controlling many non-inductive apparatus, like light bulbs or halogen lamps, as well as resistive heating. We also used advanced technologies from other multi-disciplinary areas to complete project

Intelligent autoreclosing for systems of high penetration of wind generation with real time modelling, development and deployment

COPYRIGHT Attention is drawn to the fact that copyright of this thesis rests with its author. A copy of this thesis has been supplied on condition that anyone who consults it is understood to recognise that its copyright rests with the author and they must not copy it or use material from it except as permitted by law or with the consent of the author. This thesis may be made available for consultation within the University Library and may be photocopied or lent to other libraries for the purposes of consultation. ii This thesis presents investigations into the effect of modern wind farms on grid side short circuits using extensive real time digital simulation. Particular reference is made to adaptive autoreclosing algorithms using artificial neural networks. A section of 132kV transmission grid in Scotland, including DFIG wind farms, is modelled on a real time digital simulator. An algorithm is then developed and tested using this model to show that this autoreclosing technique is feasible in systems with high penetration of wind generation. Although based on an existing technique, an important innovation is the use of two neural networks for the separate tasks of arc presence and extinction. The thesis also describes a low-cost, real time, relay development platform. Executive summary of key achievements- The effect of wind turbines on transmission line short circuit transients, with a comparison of the other significant parameters- Treatment of unbalanced faults and realistic arc modelling in this context- Feasibility studies on RTDS development of AdTAR using primary arcing and inter-circuit coupling- Development of robust AdSPAR autoreclosing algorithm using twin neural networks- A critical discussion of the use of AI in power system protection- A low cost, IEC 61850 compliant, real time relay development platfor