A novel method to optimize permanent magnet assisted synchronous reluctance machines

This paper presents the characteristics of permanent magnets in a synchronous reluctance machine by employing analytical and finite element methods. Four possible designs are studied and their characteristics are compared against a base synchronous reluctance machine with linear barriers to reveal machine characteristics. Then, the paper proposes a novel optimization topology to optimize permanent magnet synchronous reluctance machine as a single object for better machine performance. An explicit investigation is conducted to reveal the operational behavior of the machine such as torque, power factor and torque ripples with various machine parameters and compares them with the base design. The study reveals that permanent magnet synchronous reluctance machine can be optimized to have significantly high-power factor and torque with acceptable torque ripples

Performance comparison of various probability gate assisted binary lightning search algorithm

Recently, many new nature-inspired optimization algorithms have been introduced to further enhance the computational intelligence optimization algorithms. Among them, lightning search algorithm (LSA) is a recent heuristic optimization method for resolving continuous problems. It mimics the natural phenomenon of lightning to find out the global optimal solution around the search space. In this paper, a suitable technique to formulate binary version of lightning search algorithm (BLSA) is presented. Three common probability transfer functions, namely, logistic sigmoid, tangent hyperbolic sigmoid and quantum bit rotating gate are investigated to be utilized in the original LSA. The performances of three transfer functions based BLSA is evaluated using various standard functions with different features and the results are compared with other four famous heuristic optimization techniques. The comparative study clearly reveals that tangent hyperbolic transfer function is the most suitable function that can be utilized in the binary version of LSA

Past, present and future trends in electrical power engineering education

The paper deals with the field of electrical power engineering and its relevance and sustainability in the future. With increasing concerns about global warming and green house gases, the electricity energy generation, conversion and utilisation will play an important part in future growth and development. Electrical Engineering is a well established field of study and power engineering is the oldest sub-discipline of it. Electrical Engineering field has expanded much rapidly over the last few decades with rapid advances in solid state electronics, communication, computer systems and microprocessors, computer control, artificial intelligence etc. It was rather natural to accommodate new developments by removing or rationalizing existing course structures. Due to huge new developments, new degree programs have emerged as specialist disciplines e.g. electronic engineering, computer engineering, communication engineering, control engineering and of course electrical power engineering and even highly specialised sub-discipline of photovoltaic and solar energy. Power engineering education has gone through various stages including earlier golden era of large scale electrification, later an era of automation and computer control and more recently an era of restructuring / deregulation and privatisation and energy conservation. It is expected that the future of power engineering will concentrate on alternative electrical energy sources, power quality issues, smart drive systems, distributed generation and electric vehicles and better forms of storage, use of superconductors and other highly efficient and smart materials

New and emerging developments in power engineering

Electrical Engineering is a well-established field of study and power engineering is the oldest sub-discipline of it. Electrical Engineering field has expanded much rapidly over the last few decades. The traditional developments were large power stations, very long high voltage (HV) transmission lines and even across national boundaries. With increasing concerns about global warming and greenhouse gases, the electricity energy generation, conversion and utilization has accelerated developments in smart and micro-grids, distributed generation and localized renewable energy generation. Due to new developments, power engineering programs are being modernized to include new areas such as smart grids and distributed generation, renewable and sustainable generation, smart and micro grids with smart and two-way communication. It is expected that the future of power engineering will concentrate on alternative electrical energy sources, smart power conversion, DC power systems, smart drive systems, distributed generation, electric vehicles and distributed storage, superconductors and other highly efficient and smart materials. Electric vehicles (EV) and associated battery storage will require new approaches to operate the modern power systems. EVs would be acting both as consumer and provider of energy to power grid. Future graduates will have extensive knowledge in new and emerging power systems, communication and smart and two way power flows. This paper will outline these new and emerging fields and future directions in Power Engineering

Analysis of the benefits of switching controlled load for solar PV prosumers

This paper analyses one year's worth of residential load data from 300 homes, as produced publicly by a Sydney- based network supply. The data relates to residences that have a mixture of normal load, controlled load (off-peak water heating) and a considerable proportion also having roof-top solar PV. The objectives of this analysis are to determine the improved “prosumer” response by altering the off-peak controlled load switching times by using “excess” solar PV energy in the middle of the day to pre-heat the controlled load. A sample of 40 homes out of the 300 total is taken, as this amount represents a typical low voltage distributor load. The second set of analyses is done by simulating the impact of having storage at each solar PV owner's premises

Conversion of a switched reluctance motor to operate as a generator for wind power applications

Climate change effect become number one concern in many countries due to the effect that will have on human life. Renewable energy found to be one of the most effective ways to overcome this problem, wind energy is part of the renewable and one of the most growing areas in this field. In this paper the definition of switched reluctance generator and the principal of operation will be discussed, the excitation cycle and its relation to the switching parameters, methods on the switching phenomena will be discussed, low speed circuit and high speed circuit will be explained, output power of the SRM

Energy storage : where should it go and how should it be priced?

This paper analyses the impacts of battery energy storage located in typical low and medium voltage radial distribution networks. Various options for battery capacity and location have been considered and the resulting feeder loads and voltage drops modelled on a radial load flow program. Both a generic 10-node low voltage feeder off a 10-node medium voltage feeder and an actual 77-node low voltage feeder were modelled. Consistent results were obtained with both models. The paper concludes that a solution that is near optimum and offers economy of scale is to share storage among a group of about 25 to 30 residential units. Energy storage pricing issues are also discussed, and the conclusion reached that a flat net energy tariff regime, coupled with a power/energy type price structure would be the simplest and easiest to implement

Sensorless control of brushless DC motors using virtual back EMF mapping projection

This paper presents a new approach for sensorless control of brushless dc motors (BLDCM). A linear back emf line is constructed reflecting the rotor displacement angles, from which the commutation instances corresponding to 30° degrees are computed. The approach increases the signal to noise ratio and improves the performance as compared with zero crossing detection point (ZCP) method. Simulation results are presented for a DC brushless drive at various load conditions. It is shown that the virtual effect sensors (VHE) signals follow the same interval as physical Hall effect (PHE) signals

Study on excitation control of switched reluctance generator for wind energy conversion

This paper will discuss the advantages of using Switched Reluctance Generator (SRG) for wind energy applications. Specifically, the theoretical and experimental study of the self excitation of a SRG and the determination of the variable parameters in a SRG design are discussed. The switching requirements for the converter and the design parameters for the maximum power output of the SRG are computed using Matlab simulation. The design of the circuit which controls the variable parameters in a SRG, in order to provide the maximum power output is also discussed

Multidisciplinary student-led project-based learning in engineering

Project-Based Learning (PBL) is identified as a comprehensive student-centered approach in engineering education. This paper offers an advanced form of PBL, the Multidisciplinary Project-Based Student-Led Learning (MPBSL). It describes the potential Learning technical, industrial, educational, social, and cultural outcomes and competencies that are achieved through MPBSL. Besides, this paper provides case studies of three projects that implemented MPBSL in the Engineering Program