abstract: Under the framework of intelligent management of power grids by leveraging advanced information, communication and control technologies, a primary objective of this study is to develop novel data mining and data processing schemes for several critical applications that can enhance the reliability of power systems. Specifically, this study is broadly organized into the following two parts: I) spatio-temporal wind power analysis for wind generation forecast and integration, and II) data mining and information fusion of synchrophasor measurements toward secure power grids. Part I is centered around wind power generation forecast and integration. First, a spatio-temporal analysis approach for short-term wind farm generation forecasting is proposed. Specifically, using extensive measurement data from an actual wind farm, the probability distribution and the level crossing rate of wind farm generation are characterized using tools from graphical learning and time-series analysis. Built on these spatial and temporal characterizations, finite state Markov chain models are developed, and a point forecast of wind farm generation is derived using the Markov chains. Then, multi-timescale scheduling and dispatch with stochastic wind generation and opportunistic demand response is investigated. Part II focuses on incorporating the emerging synchrophasor technology into the security assessment and the post-disturbance fault diagnosis of power systems. First, a data-mining framework is developed for on-line dynamic security assessment by using adaptive ensemble decision tree learning of real-time synchrophasor measurements. Under this framework, novel on-line dynamic security assessment schemes are devised, aiming to handle various factors (including variations of operating conditions, forced system topology change, and loss of critical synchrophasor measurements) that can have significant impact on the performance of conventional data-mining based on-line DSA schemes. Then, in the context of post-disturbance analysis, fault detection and localization of line outage is investigated using a dependency graph approach. It is shown that a dependency graph for voltage phase angles can be built according to the interconnection structure of power system, and line outage events can be detected and localized through networked data fusion of the synchrophasor measurements collected from multiple locations of power grids. Along a more practical avenue, a decentralized networked data fusion scheme is proposed for efficient fault detection and localization. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Electrical Engineering 2013

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Com o aumento na demanda de energia elÃtrica e a exigÃncia de maior confiabilidade, seguranÃa e eficiÃncia na operaÃÃo de sistemas elÃtricos de potÃncia por parte dos ÃrgÃos reguladores, aumentou a necessidade por profissionais cada vez mais qualificados em planejamento e operaÃÃo dos sistemas de potÃncia. No entanto, com a necessidade de atualizaÃÃo tÃcnica continuada e em decorrÃncia da polÃtica de racionalizaÃÃo de custos e de disponibilizaÃÃo de pessoal, as tÃcnicas de ensino a distÃncia tÃm evoluÃdo e alcanÃado abrangÃncia nas mais diferentes Ãreas do conhecimento. Este trabalho apresenta um Simulador para Treinamento Presencial e a DistÃncia em OperaÃÃo e ProteÃÃo de Sistemas ElÃtricos (STOP). O simulador STOP à desenvolvido em Java, podendo ser utilizado em ambientes: Unix, Linux, Windows, MacOS. O STOP pode ser aplicado em treinamento presencial e a distÃncia e està voltado à capacitaÃÃo de estudantes de engenharia, tÃcnicos e profissionais da Ãrea de sistemas elÃtricos de potÃncia. O STOP està integrado a um Ambiente Virtual de Aprendizagem (AVA), o Moodle. A integraÃÃo enriquece o ensino-aprendizado tornando-o mais efetivo com o uso de uma ferramenta capaz de simular situaÃÃes reais. Os simuladores em ambientes virtuais sÃo alternativas para a reduÃÃo de custos em empresas e instituiÃÃes de ensino. O simulador STOP à um software composto de diagramas unifilares, com a representaÃÃo dos principais componentes do sistema de proteÃÃo, tornando possÃvel ao usuÃrio simular faltas e reconfigurar o sistema elÃtrico, por meio de ajustes de relÃs para coordenaÃÃo da proteÃÃo e redefiniÃÃo de parÃmetros. / As the demand for electrical energy increases and requirements from regulatory agencies for improved reliability, security and efficiency on the operation of electric power systems, the need for professionals ever more qualified on planning and operation power systems also increases. However, with the need for continued technical update and as a result of rationalization policies of costs and provision of personnel for training, the distance learning techniques have evolved and reached different areas of knowledge. This work presents a Simulator for Presence and Distance Learning about Operation and Protection of Electric Systems (STOP). The STOP Simulator is developed in Java, which enables it to be used in the following systems: Unix, Linux, Windows, MacOS. The STOP can be applied in class as well as distance training and is directed to the training of engineering students, technicians and professionals specialized on electric power systems. The STOP is integrated to a Learning Virtual Environment (AVA), the Moodle. The integration enhances the teaching-learning process making it more effective by using a tool able to simulate real life situations. Simulators in virtual environments are an alternative to reducing costs in companies and educational institutions. The STOP is a software tool featuring one-line diagrams with the main components of the protection system, short-circuits simulation and reconfiguration of the system by setting relays for coordination of the system protection and redefinition of parameters.

[pt] Este trabalho consiste na apresentação de um método analítico para a análise harmônica de reatores saturados trifásicos quando usados no controle de tensão em sistemas de potência. A este respeito é primeiramente discutida a necessidade do controle de tensão através da compensação de potência reativa em sistemas de transmissão e distribuição e em seguida são apresentados os vários tipos de compensadores existentes que satisfazem estas necessidades, dando-se ênfase aos reatores trifásicos de núcleo de ferro saturado. Os núcleos dos reatores saturados são levados à completa saturação para as tensões de operação causando, naturalmente, o surgimento de correntes não senoidais nos enrolamentos. Duas soluções possíveis são apresentadas para eliminação de harmônicos nas correntes de linha: o uso de filtros e o cancelamento interno dos harmônicos por meio de arranjos adequados de enrolamentos em reatores saturados trifásicos. Este trabalho desenvolve um método analítico para análise harmônica de reatores saturados em que a eliminação ou redução dos harmônicos é feita internamente. São apresentadas em seguida as relações básicas do métodos de análise cujo objetivo é determinar as formas de onda das correntes no enrolamentos e linhas, com tensão de alimentação senoidal balanceada. O método é completamente geral e pode ser aplicado a reatores saturados com qualquer número de núcleos e enrolamento. Em seguida aplica-se o método previamente descrito a um tipo particular de reator saturado, o Twin-tripler, e desenvolve-se um programa em computador digital. Os resultados obtidos são depois comparados com os conhecidos experimental. / [en] This work is concerned with the presentation of an analytical method for the harmonic analysis of three-phase saturated reactors when used for controlling voltage in power systems. The requirements for voltage control in transmission and distribution systems through the demand for reactive power are first discussed and the various types of existing compensators which meet these requirements are presented. Particular attention is devoted to three-phase iron-cored saturated reactors. The cores of ac self saturated reactors are drive well into saturation at their operating voltages causing, naturally, non-sinusoidal currents to appear in the windings. Two possible approaches for the elimination of harmonics in the line currents are presented: use of filters and internal elimination of harmonics by means of suitable winding arrangements in three-phase saturated reactors. This work develops an analytical method for the harmonic analysis of satures reactors in which the harmonic elimination or reduction is achieved internally. The basic relations of the analytical method, which has the objective of determining the waveforms of the line and winding currents with a balanced three-phase voltage source, are then presented. The method is completely general and can be aplied to saturated reactors of any number of cores and windings. The previously described method is then applied to a particular type of saturated reactor, the Twin-tripler, and a digital computer programme is developed. The obtained results are then compared with those experimentally Known.

[pt] Os sistemas de potência são projetados para operarem com tensão e freqüência constantes, admitindo-se pequenas variações em torno de sues valores nominais. Estas grandezas são controladas principalmente pelos sistemas de excitação e reguladores de velocidade, respectivamente. Esta dissertação examina o projeto de sistemas de excitação modernos e estabelece as características de projeto dos componentes das excitatrizes estáticas. Os principais componentes (conversor, circuito de disparo, circuito de partida e regulador de tensão) são implementados em um protótipo de excitatriz. As respostas do protótipo à pequenas e grandes perturbações também são discutidas. / [en] Power systems are designed to operate with constant voltagem and frequency, allowing small sinal variations around its rated valves. These quantities are mainly controlled by excitation systems and governors, respectively. This dissertation examines the design of modern excitation systems and estabilishes the desired characteristics of static exciter componentes. The main components (conversor, firing circuit, starting circuit and voltage regulator) are implemented in a exciter prototype. The prototype response to small and larger disturbances are also discussed.

[pt] Restrições econômicas e ecológicas têm limitado o investimento em novas usinas e linhas de transmissão de energia elétrica. Com os sistemas de potência trabalhando bastante carregados, o risco da ocorrência da instabilidade de tensão se acentua. Neste trabalho estabeleceram-se as características operacionais do fenômeno do colapso de tensão, e sua similaridade e diferença em relação ao problema da estabilidade angular. Forma desenvolvidos métodos para avaliar um ponto de operação do sistema quanto à proximidade da ocorrência do fenômeno. Os resultados foram comparados. Finalmente, foi abordado o problema da prevenção do colapso / [en] Investiments on new generators and transmission lines for electrical power systems have been limited due to economical and environmental constraints. This dissertation established the operational characteristics of the voltage collapse phenomenon, as well as pointed out similarities and differences in relation to the angular stability problem. Voltage collapse assessment methods were developed and results compared. Finallu, the collapse prevention problem was mentioned.

M.Ing. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

As cloud computing continues to gain popularity and its economies of scale continue to improve, stakeholders want to minimise the security risk, protect their data and other resources while maximising the gains of using any cloud resources and its application. It is predicted that by the end of 2017, bulk of spending on any IT infrastructure would be on cloud infrastructure and services as many critical applications – power, medical, finance among others continue to be migrated onto cloud platforms. For these sectors, the security challenges of cloud adoption continue to be of a great concern even with its benefits. The ability to trust and measure security levels of any cloud platform is paramount in the complete adoption and use of cloud computing in many mission critical sectors. In-depth study and analysis of the trustworthiness of various cloud based platforms/systems are often limited by the complex and dynamic nature of cloud and often do not correctly foresee or practically determine the varying trust relationship between and across the cloud layers, components (schedulers), algorithms and applications especially at a large scale. Tradition security and privacy controls continue to be implemented on cloud but due to its fluid and dynamic nature, research work in the area of end-user attestable trust evaluation of the cloud platform is limited. Most of the current simulation tools do not cater for modelling of Trust on scalable multi-layer cloud deployments (including workflow and infrastructure).Even as these tools continue to be implemented none has been used to cater for all the layers of the cloud platform. This research presents a deployment of trusted computing applied in cloud computing suited for mission critical applications. It attempts to simplify the integration of trusted platform module based integrity measurement into cloud infrastructure. Using Eucalyptus cloud software on server-grade hardware, a trusted community cloud platform was deployed on the Brunel Network as presented in Chapter 3. Security is enhanced by the integration of an end-user accessible TPM integrity measurement and verification process; this guarantees trusted ownership and integrity of the uploaded data and provides additional level of trust for the cloud platform. This research further presents a technique which allows data owners to first secure their data offline by inserting colour drops into the data using steganography. The colour drops are used to detect unauthorised modifications, verify data owner in the event the copyright of the data is in dispute and identify the path through which it was tampered with. This process ensures integrity and confidentiality of the resources. This thesis also presents a trust model using fuzzy logic which was simulated using Simulink in Matlab and subsequently evaluated on an experimental platform deployed on the Brunel network. Using this model, end-users can determine the trust values for a cloud platform or service, as well as, classify and compare various cloud platforms. The results obtained suggest that the outputs of this research work can improve end-user confidence when selecting or consuming cloud resources with enhanced data integrity and protection.

Battery charging wind turbines like, Hybrid Field Generator, have become more popular in the growing renewable energy market. With wind energy, voltage and current control is generally provided by means of power electronics. The paper describes the analytical investigation in to control aspects of a hybrid field generator controller for optimized performance. The project objective is about maintaining the generated voltage at 28V through out a generator speed range, between 149 rpm and 598 rpm. The over voltage load, known as dump load, is connected to the control circuit to reduce stress on the bypass transistor for speeds above 598 rpm. Maintaining a stable voltage through out the speed range, between 149rpm and 598rpm, is achieved by employing power electronics techniques. This is done by using power converters and inverters to vary the generator armature excitation levels hence varying its air gap flux density. All these take place during each of the three modes of generator operation, which are: buck, boost and permanent magnet modes. Although the generator controller is power electronics based, it also uses software to optimize its performance. In this case, a PIC16F877 microcontroller development system has been used to test the controller function blocks.

Summary One important theme in William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies is power. The boys in Lord of the Flies copy the behavior of their parents: competing, fighting and even killing each other for power. They form two groups, each following a different power system, the democratic system on the one side and the totalitarian system on the other. My aim in this essay is to examine the complexity of these power systems in Lord of the Flies, revealed in the two layers in which they appear in the story, the boys on the island and the adults in their world. Moreover I want to show how Golding contributes both positive and negative traits to both systems, never falling into the habit of giving a black and white picture of either of the power systems. Overall I will focus on two boys, Jack and Ralph, exemplifying through them how the two systems gain their power, develop their structures, which methods they use to keep power, and how the systems handle crisis. At the end of my essay I then will shortly illustrate how Golding connects the adult world and their behavior to the boys’ story. My conclusion is that Golding shows very clearly that the desire for power and the will to fight and kill for it exists in both adults and children. Overall his attempt is to illustrate that it is difficult to have an absolute, perfect and ideal power system. There are always things that can be criticized and improved. However, he does indicate that certain systems are more dangerous than others. The totalitarian power system can escalate much easier into savagery than the democratic system. So, Golding prefers power systems that benefit the community rather than only the leader himself.

This thesis presents a method of detecting electrical islands in low voltage distributed generator networks by measuring negative sequence impedance differences between islanded and utility connections. Extensive testing was conducted on a commercial building and 25 kV distributed generator fed network by measuring naturally occurring and artificially injected negative sequence components. Similarly, this technique was tested using the IEEE 399-1990 bus test case using the EMTP software. The practical measurements have been matched to simulations where further system performance characteristics of detecting power system islands has been successfully demonstrated. Measured results indicate that unbalanced load conditions are naturally occurring and readily measurable while deliberately unbalanced loads can increase the accuracy of negative sequence impedance islanding detection. The typically low negative sequence impedance of induction motors was found to have only a small effect in low voltage busses, though large machines can effect the threshold settings. Careful placement of the island detector is required in these situations. The negative sequence impedance measurement method is an improvement on previous impedance measurement techniques for islanding detection due to its accuracy, and distinctly large threshold window which have challenged previous impedance based islanding detection techniques. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of / Graduate