In this thesis, we present several novel theoretical results in complex networks, most of which benefit from extensions of existing methods of analysis in electrical engineering. These results not only contribute to a better characterisation of the topology and structure of complex networks, but also provide a new way to study complex systems by modelling them as a flow network to determine how nodes nonlocally interact as a function of the adjacent physical laws. We also contribute towards a better understanding of how frequency synchronisation (FS) in coupled phase oscillator networks comes about by revealing the fundamental mechanisms and determinant conditions for nodes to become FS. Moreover, we design a scheme to control explosive synchronisation. Equipped with the theoretical knowledge obtained from the study of phase oscillator networks, we reveal the mechanism behind the onset of FS in realistic models of power grids and the causes behind frequency collapse. Furthermore, we put forward advanced control techniques and novel prediction methods to prevent blackouts from happening in those models. These results might help engineers to construct a stable, economic and efficient smart power grid in the near future. The breakthroughs in this thesis build up a bridge which, on the one hand, promotes the progress of the research in the fields of complex networks and synchronization by borrowing methods from electrical engineering and extending them to the treatment of complex networks, and on the other hand, aids engineers to efficiently solve some specific problems in smart grids based on the knowledge of approaches coming from the area of complex systems. Therefore, this thesis bridges the gap between engineering and physics by identifying, explaining and extending interdisciplinary approaches from these two disciplines to better understand models and networks considered within these fields.

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Orientador: Ademir Jose Petenate / Dissertação (mestrado profissional) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecanica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-03T23:46:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Assis_LuisDonizetide_M.pdf: 833246 bytes, checksum: 8bd3ecd5ebcb6d7362cbb44232e139da (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004 / Mestrado / Gestão da Qualidade Total / Mestre Profissional em Engenharia Mecanica

The main objective of this study is to develop a methodology to assist in the reconfiguration and expansion of an electrical sub-transmission network within the framework of Value-based planning. This methodology applies to typical municipal networks found in South Africa. A literature study indicates that most of the fundamental concepts for power system reliability is well established with extensive research done in North America, and other parts of the world. Reliability worth assessment of sub-transmission networks in South Africa, which include composite networks and substation reliability, is however not well developed. From a Value-¬based point of view the literature further does not provide much linkage to the evaluation of alternative long-term network options. This is especially true in terms of the life cycle cost assessment of network alternatives, which include the prediction of customer damages as a function of network performance. In this dissertation a methodology is proposed which utilises the basic network reliability concepts to assess the performance of existing and future alternative network options. The load point Expected Unserved Energy is used to quantify network performance and is obtained through a contingency enumeration process. An existing Geographical Load Forecasting technique defines all customers connected to a load point, on a homogeneous level. This information along with Sector Customer Damage Functions is used to predict existing and future Composite Customer Damage Functions at the associated load point in the sub-transmission network. To arrive at the total minimum cost, which is the objective of Value-based planning, the present worth for each alternative is obtained from the annual utility and customer cost over the life cycle of the alternative. The alternative that result in the lowest present worth is identified as the preferred alternative. A case study is conducted on the sub-transmission network of the Greater Pretoria Metropolitan Council (GPMC) in order to prove the methodology. The entire network is analysed in order to identify the sub-system with the worst performance from a reliability point of view. Alternative network options are identified and the methodology is used for the evaluation of these alternatives. The application of this methodology provides the network planner with the ability to make better decisions with regard to the allocation of reliability. Through the calculation of reliability indices, tangible guidelines can be provided to quantitatively assess the impact of different network alternatives. These guidelines assess contingency probabilities explicitly and along with reliability worth evaluation provide a fundamental tool to conduct Value-based planning. The application of this methodology can lead to significant savings in capital investment while maintaining an acceptable level of reliability. / Dissertation (M Eng (Electrical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering / unrestricted

The threat of climate change has led to many countries and regions adopting renewable targets. Scotland's is one of the most ambitious, with an aim to generate the equivalent to 100% of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2020. Scotland has a very large renewable resource, primarily consisting of offshore and onshore wind, tidal stream, wave and hydro power; all of which are characterised by having variable output. Over a long period, such as a year, variability in renewable generation will average out and may meet or exceed total annual demand. This thesis investigates whether matching of demand and generation is possible within a timescale meaningful to electricity system users; that is whether renewable generation can meet electricity demand in any given hour. This was established by using historic data to create an hourly generation hindcast of Scotland's renewable generation over a 30 year climate “normal” period. These outputs are then compared to a hindcast of hourly demand based on observations over the most recent few years. The results demonstrated that it is possible for Scotland to rely entirely upon renewable generation to fulfil demand in any hour of the 30 year hindcast. However, it appears that the renewable capacity and storage currently built or within the Scottish planning system is only sufficient to match demand in 65% of the hours within the hindcast. The hindcast allows judgements to be made as to how 100% of demand could be met most effectively and provides the basis of a coherent planning strategy, with security of supply at its centre. Further wave and tidal stream capacity is shown to be of higher value than additional wind power but in the latter case, addressing the geographical diversity of wind power can enable maximise phasing between sites to increase the security of supply. Importantly this work provides a means of informing decision making about where best to develop wind, wave and tidal resources and what additional storage may be required in order to provide 100% security of supply. The results are also of particular importance to Scotland's renewable generation strategy in the case of assessing where new on- and off-shore wind farms should be developed, as wind is set to dominate Scotland's renewable portfolio for the foreseeable future.

Present trends toward long distance extra high voltage transmission lines and static excitation can cause a reduction in the stability margins of a typical power system unless measures are taken to improve the system damping. Practical applications of stabilizing signals are investigated in this thesis and limitations of the design techniques discussed. An optimal control signal is derived from modern control theory. All signals are obtained from a common linearized power system and the performance is tested for large disturbance conditions on a single machine-infinite bus system where the machine, exciter and governor are represented in detail. Both types of signals are also tested on a practical four machine system model and it is shown that a similar improvement in damping can be obtained with either a stabilizing signal derived using conventional frequency response techniques or a proportional feedback controller obtained from solution of the algebraic matrix Riccati equation. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of / Graduate

A stable and reliable electrical power supply system is an inevitable pre-requisite for the technological and economic growth of any nation. Due to this, utilities must strive and ensure that the customer’s reliability requirements are met and that the regulators requirements are satisfied at the lowest possible cost. It is known fact around the world that 90% of the customer service interruptions are caused due to failure in distribution system. Therefore, it is worth considering reliability assessments as it provides an opportunity to incorporate the cost or losses incurred by the utilities customer as a result of power failure. This must be considered in the planning and operating practices. The system modelling and simulation study is carried out on one of the district’s distribution system which consists of 132 kV, 66 kV and 22 kV network in Aliwal North Sector ECOU. The reliability assessment is done on the 22, 66 and 132 kV system to assess the performance of the present system and also predictive reliability analysis for the future system considering load growth and system expansion. The alternative which gives low SAIDI, SAIFI and minimum breakeven costs is being assessed and considered. The reliability of 132 kV system could be further improved by constructing a new 132 kV line from a different source of supply and connecting with line coming from another district (reserve) at reasonable break even cost. The decision base could be further improved by having Aliwal North Sector context interruption cost. However, the historical data which may be used in Aliwal North Sector to acquire interruption costs from the customers are being proposed. The focus should be on improving the power quality on constrained networks first, then the reliability. Therefore for the Aliwal North power system network it is imperative that Eskom invest on the reliability of this network. This dissertation also analysed load reflected economic benefit versus performance expectations that should be optimized through achieving a balance between network performance (SAIDI) improvement, and total life cycle cost (to Eskom as well as the economy). Reliability analysis conducted in this dissertation used Aliwal North power system network as a case study; the results proved that the system is vulnerable to faults, planned and unplanned outages. Reliability evaluation studies were conducted on the system using DigSilent software in conjunction with FME. These two models gave accurate results with acceptable variance in most indices except for the ENS where the variance was quite significant. It can be concluded that DigSilent results are the most accurate results in all three reliability evaluation scenarios for the Aliwal North Power System, best interpretation being that of DigSilent.

This paper is describing the issues of data collection in power distribution networks. It discusses the posibilities of data communication over wide area networks using the communication protocol IEC 60870-5-104, used in power distribution systems for transmission of information over IP networks. Thesis presents 4 technologies, suitable for data collection, with respect to the use of existing infrastructure of the utility. It focuses on design of appropriate data types in correspondence with used IEC 60870-5-104 protocol, and estimates the minimum data requirements for transmission, through proposed hierarchical network, with collecting data concentrators. For verification of given design, simulations are carried out based on proposed data loads with subsequent analysis of network load and transmission delays. Consequently, the results are analyzed and selected parts of network optimized for improvement od selected results, of which causes of formation are discussed in debate.

In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in Finance & Investment Management. / This study examines the relationship between electricity infrastructure finance and the economic growth of Swaziland in an attempt to determine the extent to which electricity infrastructure contributes to economic growth. The study also examines what factors determine the level electricity infrastructure finance in Swaziland, and the extent of the influence of these factors. This study hopes to add to the body of literature focused on scrutinising the infrastructure investment challenges in the low-income countries of the African region, and the discovery of innovative financing mechanisms that will bring the region to a favourable position where it can supply reliable energy that promotes the prosperity of its people. Using annual data, trend analysis and OLS regression techniques are applied to determine the extent of the relationship between electricity infrastructure investment and economic growth, as well as the economic and regulatory factors expected to influence the level of infrastructure investment, as suggested by literature. The level of electricity infrastructure investment is found to be positively correlated with economic growth and the macroeconomic stability of Swaziland. However, little to no correlation is found between the level of electricity infrastructure investment, and government revenue, stock market capitalization, and credit extended to the government and parastatals. Regulatory quality is found to be negatively correlated to electricity infrastructure investment. / GR2018

Voltage stability studies (VSS) of the electric network is a crucial factor to make the system operate in stable region and to prevent power blackouts. There are several commercial tools available for VSS of electric transmission systems (TS) but not many for distribution systems (DS). With increasing penetration of distributed renewable generations and meshed network within DS, shipboard power system (SPS) and microgrid, these VSS tools need to be extended for DS. Due to inherent characteristic like high R/X ratio, three phase and unbalanced operation, DS or SPS requires different mathematical approach than TS. Unbalanced three phase power flow and continuation power flow tools were developed using current injection and corrector predictor methods in this work for VSS. Maximum loading point for given DS or SPS can be computed using developed tools to guide required preventive and corrective actions. Developed tool was tested and validated for several different test cases.