Secure operation of electric power grids fundamentally relies on their dynamical stability properties. For the third-order model, a paradigmatic model that captures voltage dynamics, three routes to instability are established in the literature: a pure rotor angle instability, a pure voltage instability, and one instability induced by the interplay of both. Here, we demonstrate that one of these routes, the pure voltage instability, requires infinite voltage amplitudes and is, thus, nonphysical. We show that voltage collapse dynamics nevertheless exist in the absence of any voltage instabilities.

The increasing demand for greater capacity of mobile communications has led to the petition of more radio spectrum at 1900 MHz for the new personal communication service (PCS) systems. The PCS spectrum is proposed to coexist with current fixed microwave spectrum. This presents cochannel interference control problems which can be avoided with extensive propagation studies in both measurements and predictions. Currently, there is no readily available tool to predict propagation channels for the small coverage area that PCS operates at 1900 MHz. This thesis presents new methods for propagation prediction without relying on measurements but rather local environment geometries and their electrical properties. The propagation prediction tool developed is based on the principle of geometrical optics and Fresnel-Kirchoff diffraction. Geometrical optics enables computer software to automatically trace the propagation of radio wave energy from the transmitter to the receiver. The ray tracing techniques presented are optimized for speed with a little trade-off in accuracy. Also, efficient techniques were developed to find true diffracting building edges in dense urban environments. The propagation prediction software also rely on other commercial software packages such as AutoCAD and GRASS to maintain and manipulate the environmental database as well as displaying prediction results. The software yielded reasonable accuracy when compared against VT campus propagation measurements at 900 MHz and 1900 MHz. / Master of Science

Ever increasing demand for electricity, exploitation of large hydro and nuclear power at remote location has led to power evacuation by long EHV/UHV transmission systems. This thesis concentrates on transient analysis of EHV/UHV transmission systems for improved planning and protection. In this thesis, the uncontrolled and controlled switching methods to limit the switching surges during energization of 765kV and 1200k VUHV transmission lines are studied. The switching surge over voltages during the energization of series compensated line are compared with uncompensated line. A Generalized Electromagnetic Transients Program has been developed. The program incorporates specific models for studying the effectiveness of various means for control of switching surge over voltages during UHV transmission line energization and also simulation of various types of faults. Since power grids may adopt next higher UHV transmission level 1200kV, these studies are necessary for insulation coordination as well as transmission line protection relay settings. A new fault detection/location technique is presented for transmission line using synchronized fundamental voltage and current phasors obtained by PMUs at both ends of line. It is adaptive to fault resistance, source impedance variation, line loading and fault incidence angle. An improved Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) algorithm to estimate and eliminate the decaying dc component in a fault current signal is proposed for computing the phasors. The settings for digital distance relays under different operating conditions are obtained. The relay should operate faster and be more sensitive to various faults under different conditions without loosing selectivity. An accurate faulted transmission line model which considers distributed shunt capacitance has been presented. The relay trip boundaries are obtained considering transmission line model under realistic fault conditions. For different loading conditions ideal relay characteristic has been developed. The obtained trip boundaries can be used for proper settings of practical relay. An adaptive relaying scheme is proposed for EHV/UHV transmission line using unsynchronized/synchronized fundamental voltage and current phasors at both ends of line. For fault location, the redundancy in equations is achieved by using two kinds of Clarke’s components which makes the calculations non-iterative and accurate. An operator for synchronization of the unsynchronized measurements is obtained by considering the distributed parameter line model. The distance to fault is calculated as per the synchronized measurements. Support Vector Machine(SVM) is used for high speed protection of UHV line. The proposed relaying scheme detects the fault and faulted phase effectively within few milli seconds. The current and voltage signals of all phases at the substation are fed to SVM directly at a sampling frequency of 1.0kHZi.e20 samples/cycle . It is possible to detect faulted phase with in 3msec, using the data window of 1/4th cycle. The performance of relaying scheme has been checked with a typical 765kV Indian transmission System which is simulated using the developed EMTP.

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

Cette thèse s’inscrit dans le cadre de l’amélioration du comportement électrique des isolateurs de lignes haute tension ; l’objectif est d’assurer une meilleure fiabilité et qualité d’alimentation en énergie électrique. Ce travail a été motivé par la nécessité de répondre à trois questions liées au comportement des isolateurs verre en zone polluée. La première porte sur la recherche d’une méthode permettant de calculer la tension de contournement des chaînes polluées selon le type d’isolateur et ses caractéristiques. La deuxième question concerne la différence de comportement entre les isolateurs en verre et les isolateurs en porcelaine de type « outerrib » ; ce type d’isolateurs présente une forme spécifique adaptée aux environnements à forte pollution. Les tensions de contournement ainsi que les trajectoires de l’arc sur les isolateurs en verre sont très différentes de celles observées avec les isolateurs en porcelaine. Et la troisième question est relative à la défaillance des isolateurs recouverts de silicone lors des essais en chocs (des impulsions de tension) à front raide. En effet, les isolateurs recouverts d’une couche de 0.3 mm (ou plus) de silicone hydrophobe explosent lorsqu’ils sont soumis à des impulsions de tension à front raide d’amplitude très élevée pendant un temps très court. Différents mécanismes pouvant être à l’origine de l’explosion/éclatement des isolateurs recouverts d’une couche de silicone sont discutés. Il ressort des différents tests et analyses que le mécanisme le plus probable semble être la fragmentation par plasma. En effet, suite à l’application d’une tension à front raide, d’amplitude très élevée, des canaux (fissures) microscopiques prennent naissance là où le champ électrique est le plus intense. L’application répétitive des chocs de tension conduit au développement de décharges dans ces canaux (rupture diélectrique de l’air) c’est-à-dire des arcs (canaux de plasma) qui se développent/propagent dans le volume de l’isolateur. La puissance déchargée (c’est-à-dire l’énergie stockée dans les condensateurs du générateur en des temps très courts) dans ces canaux à chaque choc étant très élevée, elle conduit à l’explosion de l’isolateur après quelques chocs (parfois 5 ou 6 suffisent): c’est la fragmentation par plasma. / This thesis deals with the improvement of the electrical behavior of insulators of high voltage lines; the objective is to ensure better reliability and quality of power supply. This work was motivated by the need to answer three questions related to the behavior of glass insulators in polluted areas. The first one concerns the search for method for calculating the flashover voltage of polluted chains according to the type of insulator and its characteristics. The second question concerns the difference in behavior between glass insulators and "outerrib" porcelain insulators; this type of insulator has a specific shape adapted to environments with high pollution. The flashover voltages as well as the trajectories of the arc on glass insulators are very different from those observed with porcelain insulators. And the third issue is the failure of silicon-coated insulators during shock tests (pulses) with a steep front. Indeed, insulators coated with a layer of 0.3 mm (or more) of hydrophobic silicone explode when subjected to very high amplitude steep-edge voltage pulses for a very short time. Different mechanisms that may be responsible for the explosion / puncturing of insulators covered with a layer of silicone are discussed. It appears from the various tests and analyzes that the most probable mechanism seems to be plasma fragmentation (cracking). Indeed, following the application of a steep front voltage, of very high amplitude, microscopic channels (fissures) originate where the electric field is most intense. The repetitive application of impulse voltages (shocks) leads to the development of discharges in these channels (breakdown of the air), i.e.; arcs (plasma channels) which develop / propagate in the volume of the insulator. The discharged power (i.e.; the energy stored in the capacitors of the generator in a very short times) in these channels (cracks) at each shock being very high, leads to the explosion of the insulator after some shocks (5 to 6 sometimes): it is the fragmentation by plasma or plasma cracking.

Electromagnetic coupling phenomena between overhead power transmission lines and other nearby structures are inevitable, especially in densely populated areas. The undesired effects resulting from this proximity are manifold and range from the establishment of hazardous potentials to the outbreak of alternate current corrosion phenomena. The study of this class of problems is necessary for ensuring security in the vicinities of the interaction zone and also to preserve the integrity of the equipment and of the devices there present. However, the complete modeling of this type of application requires the three- -dimensional representation of the region of interest and needs specific numerical methods for field computation. In this work, the modeling of problems arising from the flow of electrical currents in the ground (the so-called conductive coupling) will be addressed with the finite element method. Those resulting from the time variation of the electromagnetic fields (the so-called inductive coupling) will be considered as well, and they will be treated with the generalized PEEC (Partial Element Equivalent Circuit) method. More specifically, a special boundary condition on the electric potential is proposed for truncating the computational domain in the finite element analysis of conductive coupling problems, and a complete PEEC formulation for modeling inductive coupling problems is presented. Test configurations of increasing complexities are considered for validating the foregoing approaches. These works aim to provide a contribution to the modeling of this class of problems, which tend to become common with the expansion of power grids. / Les phénomènes de couplage électromagnétique entre les lignes aé- riennes de transmission d\'énergie et des structures voisines sont inévitables, surtout dans les zones densément peuplées. Les effets indésirables découlants de cette proximité sont variés, allant de l\'établissement des tensions dangereuses à l\'apparition de phénomènes de corrosion dus au courant alternatif. L\'étude de cette classe de problèmes est nécessaire pour assurer la sécurité dans les alentours de la zone d\'interaction et aussi pour préserver l\'intégrité des équipements et des dispositifs présents. Cependant, la modélisation compl ète de ce type d\'application implique la représentation tridimensionnelle de la région d\'intérêt et nécessite des méthodes numériques de calcul de champs spécifiques. Dans ces travaux, des problèmes liés à la circulation de courants électriques dans le sol (ou de couplage dit conductif) seront abordés avec la méthode des éléments finis. D\'autres problèmes résultants de la variation temporelle des champs électromagnétiques (ou de couplage dit inductif) seront aussi considérés et traités avec la méthode PEEC (Partial Element Equivalent Circuit) généralisée. Plus précisément, une condition limite particulière sur le potentiel électrique est proposée pour tronquer le domaine de calcul dans l\'analyse par éléments finis des problèmes de couplage conductif et une formulation PEEC complète pour la modélisation de problèmes de couplage inductif est présentée. Des con gurations tests de complexités croissantes sont considérées pour valider les approches précédentes. Ces travaux visent ainsi à apporter une contribution à la modélisation de cette classe de problèmes, qui tendent à devenir communs avec l\'expansion des réseaux électriques.

Introdução- As Leucemias Linfocíticas Agudas (LLA) constituem-se na mais comum das neoplasias em crianças. Alguns estudos epidemiológicos identificaram riscos aumentados de LLA em crianças expostas a campos magnéticos gerados por linhas de força de alta tensão, porém, essa associação não foi confirmada por outros estudos. Objetivo- Verificar a associação entre exposição a campos magnéticos e a incidência da LLA em crianças residentes na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, considerando-se a distância das residências das crianças de linhas de transmissão de energia (88, 138, 230, 345 e 440 kV). Métodos- Estudo casocontrole de base populacional. Os casos foram selecionados em cinco hospitais na capital do município de São Paulo, que concentram o atendimento a crianças com LLA. Quatro controles populacionais foram selecionados para cada caso, emparelhados por sexo, idade e cidade de nascimento. Casos e controles foram entrevistados utilizando-se questionário similar para obtenção de informações sobre as variáveis de interesse e potenciais variáveis de confusão. Os domicílios foram avaliados em relação às distâncias de linhas de transmissão de energia mais próxima utilizando-se o Global Positioning System (GPS). Na análise da associação entre campos magnéticos e LLA foi utilizada regressão logística condicional, incluindo o controle de potenciais variáveis de confusão. Foram calculados os odds ratios (OR) e os respectivos intervalos com 95 por cento de confiança (IC95 por cento). Resultados- A associação entre a distância de linhas de transmissão e LLA foi ajustada pela variável escolaridade da pessoa entrevistada, resultando em OR de 2,91 (IC95 por cento 0,92-9,22). Conclusão- Concluiu-se que, crianças residentes a menos de 160 metros de linhas de transmissão de energia na RMSP apresentam risco maior, porém não estatisticamente significativo de desenvolver LLA quando comparadas com as que residem a mais que 160 metros. / Introduction-The Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancers in children. Some epidemiological studies have identified increased risk of ALL in children exposed to magnetic fields generated by high voltage power lines, however, this association was not confirmed by other studies. Purpose- Check the association between exposure to magnetic fields and the incidence of ALL in children residing in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, considering the distance from childrens home and transmission lines (88, 138, 230, 345 and 440 kV). Methods- A population-based case-control study. The cases were selected in five hospitals in the city of Sao Paulo, which account for the care of children with ALL. Four population controls were selected for each case, matched by sex, age and city of birth. Cases and controls were interviewed using a similar questionnaire to obtain information on the interest variables and potential confounding variables. The homes were evaluated by distances of the nearest transmission lines using the Global Positioning System (GPS). To examine the association between magnetic fields and ALL was used conditional logistic regression, including the control of potential confounding variables. We calculated the odds ratios (OR) and their 95per cent confidence interval (95 per cent CI). Results-The association between the distance of transmission lines and ALL was adjusted by education of the person interviewed, and the OR was 2.91 (95 per cent CI 0.92-9.22). Conclusion- Children living at less than 160 m of power transmission lines in RMSP have higher risk, though not statistically significant, when compared with those living in more than 160 m.

Este trabalho apresenta o estudo e o desenvolvimento de um algoritmo híbrido para detecção, classificação e localização de faltas em sistemas com três terminais utilizando como principal ferramenta a transformada wavelet (TW) em suas versões discreta (TWD) e estacionária (TWE). O algoritmo é dito híbrido, pois alia duas metodologias para localizar a falta. A primeira baseada na análise de componentes de alta freqüência (ondas viajantes) e a segunda, baseada na extração dos componentes fundamentais para o cálculo da impedância aparente. A metodologia proposta foi concebida de maneira a trabalhar com dados sincronizados dos três terminais ou apenas dados locais para estimar a localização da falta. O localizador híbrido escolhe automaticamente qual a melhor técnica de localização ser utilizada para alcançar uma localização confiável e precisa. Deste modo, um método pode suprir as dificuldades do outro, ou, no mínimo, fornecer mais informações para que, junto ao conhecimento do operador, uma localização próxima da ótima possa ser alcançada. Com o objetivo de testar e validar a aplicabilidade do algoritmo de localização de faltas híbrido para linhas com três terminais, utilizou-se de dados de sinais faltosos obtidos através de simulações do software ATP (Altenative Transients Program), levando-se em conta a variação de diversos parâmetros que poderiam influenciar o desempenho do algoritmo proposto. Os resultados alcançados pelo algoritmo frente às situações avaliadas são bastante animadores, apontando a uma promissora aplicabilidade do mesmo. / This work presents a study and development of a hybrid algorithm for fault detection, classification and location in tree terminal lines based on wavelet transform (WT). It will be presented in two versions: discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and stationary wavelet transform (SWT). The algorithm is called hybrid because it uses two fault location methodologies: one based on fundamental components and other based on traveling waves. The proposed methodology works either with synchronized tree terminal data or only local data. The hybrid fault locator chooses automatically which location technique to be used in order to reach a reliable and accurate fault location. In this manner, this technique can avoid some difficulties present in other techniques, aiming to reach an optimized fault location. The proposed hybrid fault location was evaluated by simulated fault signals obtained by alternative transient program (ATP). In the tests, several parameters, which would influence the performance of the hybrid algorithm, were varied, such as: fault inception angle, fault resistance, fault type, etc. The results obtained by the proposed methodology are very encouraging and it points out to a very promising application.

Dans ce mémoire de thèse, nous présentons de nouvelles approches dans le domaine de la détection et de la localisation des défauts non-francs dans les réseaux filaires. Dans le domaine de la détection, l’idée est d’adapter le signal de test au réseau à tester, donc celui-là dépendra de la configuration du système sans devoir être prédéfini, comme c’est le cas des méthodes standard de réflectométrie. Nous prouvons que cette approche MP est plus bénéfique lorsque le système est plus complexe, c’est-à-dire lorsque sa réponse est plus riche en échos, ce qui est contraire aux méthodes existantes. L’étude de la MP est menée à travers une étude mathématique, et les résultats de simulation et d’expérimentation valident l’approche proposée. Dans le domaine de la localisation des défauts, et en se basant sur les propriétés de la DORT, nous développons une méthode distributive non-itérative capable de synthétiser des signaux de test se focalisant directement sur la position du défaut. Une étude statistique nous permet d’analyser quelques-uns des paramètres les plus influents sur la performance de la méthode, puis les résultats de simulation et expérimentaux montrent la capacité de la méthode à synthétiser des signaux se focalisant directement sur la position du défaut non-franc, sans avoir besoin d’algorithmes tératifs. / In this thesis we present new approaches in the domains of soft fault detection and location in complex wire networks, based on the properties of time reversal. When addressing the detection of soft faults, the idea is to adapt the testing signal to the network under test, instead of being predefined for all the tested networks, as opposed to standard reflectometry techniques. We prove that this approach, which we name the Matched Pulse approach (MP), is beneficial whenever the system is more complex, i.e., its response is richer in echoes, which is opposed to common understanding. The MP analysis is conducted via a formal mathematical analysis, followed by simulation and experimental results validating the proposed approach. In the domain of soft fault location, and based on the DORT (Décomposition de l’Opérateur de Retournement Temporel) properties, we derive a distributive non-iterative method able to synthesize signals that focus on the fault position. Through a statistical study we analyze some of the influencing parameters on the performance of the method, and then simulation and experimental results show that the method is able to synthesize signals directly focalizing on the soft fault position, without the need for iterations.

Le vieillissement des lignes de transport d’énergie électrique est une problématique majeure des réseaux. D’ailleurs, des problèmes se posent au plan de l’évaluation de l’état des conducteurs qui, soumis aux vibrations éoliennes, sont vulnérables à l’endommagement en fatigue. Surtout présent aux pinces de suspension, ce phénomène est encore difficile à quantifier, notamment quant à la prédiction de la durée de vie résiduelle des conducteurs. D’autre part, avec le besoin croissant d’optimiser l’exploitation du réseau tout en maintenant sa fiabilité, une estimation précise de l’état d’endommagement des conducteurs est primordiale. Pour cela, une caractérisation des sollicitations à l’échelle des brins est d’abord requise. L’objectif principal de cette thèse vise donc le développement d’une stratégie de modélisation et d’analyse des conducteurs sollicités en vibrations éoliennes permettant une évaluation précise des conditions de chargement locales à l’échelle des brins, tout en tenant compte de l’effet de la géométrie des pinces de suspension. Une stratégie de modélisation 3D des solides toronnés est d’abord développée avec la méthode des éléments finis selon une discrétisation individuelle des brins par éléments poutres, capable de traiter toutes les interactions inter-filaires en frottement. Cette modélisation traduit efficacement la cinématique des torons tout en donnant accès aux charges locales. Son caractère général lui permet aussi d’être appliquée à tout problème impliquant des torons. Appliquée à l’étude des conducteurs sous l’effet des vibrations éoliennes, la stratégie conduit à une description précise de leur comportement tant au plan global en flexion que de la description des contraintes aux brins. Des estimations réalistes de durées de vie en fatigue des conducteurs sont même possibles par l’application de critères d’endommagement aux contraintes. Ensuite, les pinces de suspension sont intégrées à la stratégie de modélisation selon une représentation surfacique traitant le contact pince/conducteur. Une comparaison à des mesures expérimentales met en relief la précision de l’approche. L’analyse de la solution numérique permet l’identification des zones critiques d’endommagement en contact à chacune des couches du conducteur et révèle des informations nouvelles quant à la nature de la sollicitation des brins à la pince de suspension. Finalement, des travaux exploratoires proposent un nouveau concept d’analyse multi-échelles en combinant la modélisation numérique d’un système pince/conducteur à des essais de fatigue sur brins individuels. Une mise en œuvre préliminaire de l’approche permet de valider le concept et en jette les bases en vue de son application future. En somme, la stratégie de modélisation développée dans cette thèse constitue un puissant outil d’analyse qui ouvre maintenant la voie à une caractérisation appropriée de la fatigue des conducteurs en vue ultimement de prédire leur durée et vie résiduelle. / Abstract : The aging of overhead transmission lines is a major concern for utilities. In particular, problems arise in assessing the integrity of conductors whose exposure to Aeolian vibrations renders them vulnerable to fatigue damage. Occurring mainly at the suspension clamps, conductor fatigue is still difficult to quantify, especially regarding the prediction of their residual life. With the increasing need to optimize the power grid while maintaining its reliability, accurate evaluations of the conductor damage state become crucial. To this matter, a characterization of the stress levels at the wire scale is first required. The main objective of this thesis is therefore to develop a strategy for the modeling and analysis of conductors subjected to wind induced vibrations, allowing an accurate description of the local load conditions, while accounting for the effects of the suspension clamps. A finite element wire strand modeling strategy is first developed based on a 3D beam element discretization, considering all frictional wire interactions. The modeling approach efficiently reproduces the wire strand kinematics while giving access to the local loads. Its general formulation also allows it to be applied to any problem involving strands. Applied to the study of conductors subjected to Aeolian vibrations, the strategy leads to an accurate description of their behavior at both the global strand deformations and the wire stress description. Realistic conductor residual life estimates are even possible with the use of common damage criteria. The suspension clamps are then incorporated into the modeling strategy using a surface representation of the conductor/clamp contact. Comparisons with experimental measurements highlight the precision of the approach. The model response analysis allows now the identification of the critical damage zones within each conductor layers and reveals new information about the nature of the wire stresses at the suspension clamp. Finally, exploratory works propose a new concept of multi-scale analysis combining the numerical conductor/clamp modeling strategy to experimental fatigue tests on individual wires. A preliminary implementation of the approach validates the concept and lays the foundations for its future application. In summary, the modeling strategy developed in this thesis constitutes a powerful analytical tool which now opens the way to an appropriate characterization of conductor fatigue with the ultimate objective to eventually predict their residual life.