Alpha matting is an important topic in areas of computer vision. It has various applications, such as virtual reality, digital image and video editing, and image synthesis. The conventional approaches for alpha matting perform unsatisfactorily when they encounter complicated background and foreground. It is also difficult for them to extract alpha matte accurately when the foreground objects are transparent, semi-transparent, perforated or hairy. Fortunately, the rapid development of deep learning techniques brings new possibilities for solving alpha matting problems. In this thesis, we propose a residual convolutional grid network for alpha matting, which is based on the convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and can learn the alpha matte directly from the original image and its trimap. Our grid network consists of horizontal residual convolutional computation blocks and vertical upsampling/downsampling convolutional computation blocks. By choosing different paths to pass information by itself, our network can not only retain the rich details of the image but also extract high-level abstract semantic information of the image. The experimental results demonstrate that our method can solve the matting problems that plague conventional matting methods for decades and outperform all the other state-of-the-art matting methods in quality and visual evaluation. The only matting method performs a little better than ours is the current best matting method. However, that matting method requires three times amount of trainable parameters compared with ours. Hence, our matting method is the best considering the computation complexity, memory usage, and matting performance.

In this research a heuristic algorithm is developed for searching and identifying preferred actions as applied to the bus route design problem. The search routine evaluates each subsequent segment added to the route in the context of the value of that segment and also the value of future decisions and opportunities for subsequent segments. The total overall maximum accessibility of the system is calculated using a minimum path network between each node pair and adding the accessibility of all route segments. This is equivalent to assuming that there was a direct shortest path route between every two destinations in the network. The quality of the designed network is obtained by comparing the share of the total benefits obtained from the heuristic with the share of the costs incurred with respect to a minimum path network. Several test cases and network scenarios are studied to evaluate the analytical tool developed. In addition, different performance measures are used to identify the connecting routes that increase the accessibility of the system.

Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 92 pages. / Thesis (M.S.I.E.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: In this research a heuristic algorithm is developed for searching and identifying preferred actions as applied to the bus route design problem. The search routine evaluates each subsequent segment added to the route in the context of the value of that segment and also the value of future decisions and opportunities for subsequent segments. The total overall maximum accessibility of the system is calculated using a minimum path network between each node pair and adding the accessibility of all route segments. This is equivalent to assuming that there was a direct shortest path route between every two destinations in the network. The quality of the designed network is obtained by comparing the share of the total benefits obtained from the heuristic with the share of the costs incurred with respect to a minimum path network. Several test cases and network scenarios are studied to evaluate the analytical tool developed. / ABSTRACT: In addition, different performance measures are used to identify the connecting routes that increase the accessibility of the system. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Environmental concerns and long term energy security are the key drivers behind most current electric energy policies whose primary aim is to achieve a sustainable, reliable and affordable energy system. In a bid to achieve these aims many changes have been taking place in most power systems such as emergence of new low carbon generation technologies, structural changes of power system and introduction of competition and choice in electricity supply. As a result of these changes, the level of uncertainties is growing especially on generation side where the locations and available capacities of the future generators are not quite clear-cut. The transmission network needs to be flexibly and economically robust against all these uncertainties. The traditional operation of the network under preventive control mode is an inflexible practice which increases the total system cost. Corrective control operation strategy, however, can be alternatively used to boost the flexibility, to expedite the integration of the new generators and to decrease the overall cost. In this thesis, the main focus is on development of new techniques and methodologies that can be used for modelling and solving a transmission planning problem under the assumption that post-contingency corrective actions are plausible. Three different corrective actions, namely substation switching, demand response and generation re-dispatch are investigated in this thesis. An innovative multi-layer procedure deploying a genetic algorithm is proposed to calculate the required transmission capacity while substation switching is deployed correctively to eradicate the post-fault network violations. By using the proposed approach, a numerical study shows that the network investment reduces by 6.36% in the IEEE 24 bus test system. In another original study, generation re-dispatch corrective action is incorporated into the transmission planning problem. The ramp-rate constraints of generators are taken into account so that the network may be overloaded up to its short-term thermal rating while the generation re-dispatch action is undertaken. The results show that the required network investment for the modified IEEE 24 bus test system can be reduced by 23.8% if post-fault generation re-dispatch is deployed. Furthermore, a new recursive algorithm is proposed to study the effect of price responsive demands and peak-shifting on transmission planning. The results of a study case show that 7.8% of total investment can be deferred. In an additional study on demand response, a new probabilistic approach is introduced for transmission planning in a system where direct load curtailment can be used for either balancing mechanism or alleviating the network violations. In addition, the effect of uncertainties such as wind power fluctuation and CO2 emission price volatility are taken into account by using Monte Carlo simulation and Hypercube sampling techniques. Last but not least, a probabilistic model for dynamic thermal ratings of transmission lines is proposed, using past meteorological data. The seasonal correlations between wind power and thermal ratings are also calculated. £26.7 M is the expected annual benefit by using dynamic thermal ratings of part of National Grid's transmission network.

As instalações de geradores distribuídos têm sido impulsionadas pela necessidade da diversificação da matriz energética nos países, por fatores ambientais e por revelar benefícios aos sistemas elétricos. No Brasil, estas conexões têm apresentado um crescimento bastante significativo nos últimos anos, devido às novas regulamentações estabelecidas pela ANEEL. Entretanto, alterações no sistema elétrico em grandes escalas acarretam consequências à operação segura, confiável e de qualidade do mesmo. Neste contexto, ainda há poucos trabalhos que analisam tais problemas em sistemas reticulados de distribuição de energia elétrica e, com base nisso, o presente trabalho visa avaliar os impactos que elevados níveis de geração fotovoltaica podem acarretar aos níveis de tensões nodais, às perdas técnicas e também à proteção destes sistemas, adotando como referência uma rede reticulada real de 81 barras e a rede do IEEE 390 barras. Uma vez que tais condições são avaliadas têm-se as análises de adição de funções de proteção (direcional de potência, direcional de sobrecorrente, subtensão e desbalanço de tensão) a fim de buscar alternativas para que os protetores de rede não se sensibilizem para fluxos reversos de potência provenientes dos geradores distribuídos e, assim, estes se limitem a atuarem para distúrbios no lado de média tensão. Para tanto, as simulações foram realizadas no programa OpenDSS e os resultados mostraram que a função de desbalanço de tensão é a que se apresenta com maior potencial para ser aplicada na prática, uma vez que foi possível minimizar o número de atuações dos protetores de rede devido aos geradores distribuídos. / The installation of distributed generators have been boosted by the need to diversify the energy matrix in the countries, by environmental issues and by revealing benefits to the electrical systems. In Brazil, these connections have shown a very significant growth in the last years, due to the new regulations established by the National Agency of Electric Energy. However, large-scale changes in the electrical system lead to consequences for its safe, reliable and well-qualified operation. In this context, there are still few studies that analyze such problems in low-voltage secondary distribution networks, and based on this, the present work aims to analyze the performance of these systems based an actual Brazilian 81-nodes low-voltage secondary network and on the IEEE 390-nodes system. The objective is to evaluate the impacts of high levels of distributed generation on the power quality and protection of the grid. Once such conditions are evaluated, some protection functions are considered (directional power, directional overcurrent, undervoltage and voltage unbalance) with the purpose of finding alternatives so that the network protectors are not sensitized to reverse power flows from the distributed generators and, thus, they only trip for disturbances an the medium voltage side. Therefore, the simulations were performed in the OpenDSS software and the results showed that the voltage unbalance protection function was the one with the highest potential to be applied in practice, since it was possible to minimize the reverse power flow due to distributed generators.

As instalações de geradores distribuídos têm sido impulsionadas pela necessidade da diversificação da matriz energética nos países, por fatores ambientais e por revelar benefícios aos sistemas elétricos. No Brasil, estas conexões têm apresentado um crescimento bastante significativo nos últimos anos, devido às novas regulamentações estabelecidas pela ANEEL. Entretanto, alterações no sistema elétrico em grandes escalas acarretam consequências à operação segura, confiável e de qualidade do mesmo. Neste contexto, ainda há poucos trabalhos que analisam tais problemas em sistemas reticulados de distribuição de energia elétrica e, com base nisso, o presente trabalho visa avaliar os impactos que elevados níveis de geração fotovoltaica podem acarretar aos níveis de tensões nodais, às perdas técnicas e também à proteção destes sistemas, adotando como referência uma rede reticulada real de 81 barras e a rede do IEEE 390 barras. Uma vez que tais condições são avaliadas têm-se as análises de adição de funções de proteção (direcional de potência, direcional de sobrecorrente, subtensão e desbalanço de tensão) a fim de buscar alternativas para que os protetores de rede não se sensibilizem para fluxos reversos de potência provenientes dos geradores distribuídos e, assim, estes se limitem a atuarem para distúrbios no lado de média tensão. Para tanto, as simulações foram realizadas no programa OpenDSS e os resultados mostraram que a função de desbalanço de tensão é a que se apresenta com maior potencial para ser aplicada na prática, uma vez que foi possível minimizar o número de atuações dos protetores de rede devido aos geradores distribuídos. / The installation of distributed generators have been boosted by the need to diversify the energy matrix in the countries, by environmental issues and by revealing benefits to the electrical systems. In Brazil, these connections have shown a very significant growth in the last years, due to the new regulations established by the National Agency of Electric Energy. However, large-scale changes in the electrical system lead to consequences for its safe, reliable and well-qualified operation. In this context, there are still few studies that analyze such problems in low-voltage secondary distribution networks, and based on this, the present work aims to analyze the performance of these systems based an actual Brazilian 81-nodes low-voltage secondary network and on the IEEE 390-nodes system. The objective is to evaluate the impacts of high levels of distributed generation on the power quality and protection of the grid. Once such conditions are evaluated, some protection functions are considered (directional power, directional overcurrent, undervoltage and voltage unbalance) with the purpose of finding alternatives so that the network protectors are not sensitized to reverse power flows from the distributed generators and, thus, they only trip for disturbances an the medium voltage side. Therefore, the simulations were performed in the OpenDSS software and the results showed that the voltage unbalance protection function was the one with the highest potential to be applied in practice, since it was possible to minimize the reverse power flow due to distributed generators.

Doctoral thesis deals about primary and secondary energy legislation of the Czech Republic and proposes supplement to the legislation for renewable sources of energy. The thesis contents proposal of methodology of determination of available network capacity for connecting of new renewable sources. It analyzes current state of Czech electric power system and its possibilities for integrating new sources. It also determined available network capacity for connecting of new renewable sources in various regions of Czech Republic according to actual trend of renewable sources development. Next part of the thesis simulates impact of volatile large production of wind power plants in northern Germany in near future (year 2015). The thesis also contents proposal to the Czech power system reinforcements to eliminate negative impacts of loops flows.

Power grids have rapidly evolved into Smart grids and are heavily dependent on Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems for monitoring and control. However, this evolution increases the susceptibility of the remote (VMs, VPNs) and physical interfaces (sensors, PMUs LAN, WAN, sub-stations power lines, and smart meters) to sophisticated cyberattacks. The continuous supply of power is critical to power generation plants, power grids, industrial grids, and nuclear grids; the halt to global power could have a devastating effect on the economy's critical infrastructures and human life. Machine Learning and Deep Learning-based cyberattack detection modeling have yielded promising results when combined as a Hybrid with an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) or Host Intrusion Detection Systems (HIDs). This thesis proposes two cyberattack detection techniques; one that leverages Machine Learning algorithms and the other that leverages Artificial Neural networks algorithms to classify and detect the cyberattack data held in a foundational dataset crucial to network intrusion detection modeling. This thesis aimed to analyze and evaluate the performance of a Hybrid Machine Learning (ML) and a Hybrid Deep Learning (DL) during ingress packet filtering, class classification, and anomaly detection on a Smart grid network.

This Thesis is concerned with the concept of grounding of 110/22 kV transformer station. The aim of the Thesis is to create a ground network for grounding a specified outdoor substation. This 110 kV outdoor substation is formed according to H-scheme and encircles a wide area. In additon to this, an earth potential has to be distributed as equally as possible within the whole area of the substation. The most convenient alternative from the point of view of effective grounding and distribution of potential is a grid network. Therefore, the grid network is the means of grounding which I have chosen as a solution for this issue. In this solution, flat conductor network cables are used to cover the whole substation, with ground rods placed at the points of intersection. Parts of appliance can be then connected to this existing network, thus creating several parallel channels which provide grounding with low resistance. The network is made of common steel zinc-coated stip, size 30 x 4 mm. When proposing a concept of grounding and adjustment of ground electrodes, we have to take account of grounding requirements, stated according to ČSN standards. The proposed earthing system was created in appropriate size in order to meet all these grounding requirements. These requirements are also mentioned and described in a theoretical part of the Thesis. Second part of the Thesis consists of proposed concept of the grounding itself, together with calculated parameters. The grounding has to be carried out according to both safety regulations and electrical appliance requirements. The issue of grounding substations of power system is resolved by the ČSN standards 33 3201 (“Elektrické instalace nad AC 1kV”), 33 2000-4-41 (“Elektrická zařízení – Ochrana před úrazem elektrickým proudem”) and 33 2000-5-54 (“Elektrická zařízení – Výběr a stavba elektrických zařízení – Uzemnění a ochranné vodiče”) and by the PNE company standards 33 0000-4 (“Příklady výpočtů uzemňovacích soustav v distribuční a přenosové soustavě dodavatele elektřiny”) and 33 0000-1 (“Ochrana před úrazem elektrickým proudem v distribuční soustavě dodavatele elektřiny”). These standards apply to creating a concept of grounding and grounding of new, reconstructed or expanded electrical substations of power system.