A simulation tool for demand response programs implementation

The design and development of simulation models and tools for Demand Response (DR) programs are becoming more and more important for adequately taking the maximum advantages of DR programs use. Moreover, a more active consumers’ participation in DR programs can help improving the system reliability and decrease or defer the required investments. DemSi, a DR simulator, designed and implemented by the authors of this paper, allows studying DR actions and schemes in distribution networks. It undertakes the technical validation of the solution using realistic network simulation based on PSCAD. DemSi considers the players involved in DR actions, and the results can be analyzed from each specific player point of view.

Application of genetic algorithms in the design of an electrical potential of fractional order

Fractional calculus (FC) is currently being applied in many areas of science and technology. In fact, this mathematical concept helps the researches to have a deeper insight about several phenomena that integer order models overlook. Genetic algorithms (GA) are an important tool to solve optimization problems that occur in engineering. This methodology applies the concepts that describe biological evolution to obtain optimal solution in many different applications. In this line of thought, in this work we use the FC and the GA concepts to implement the electrical fractional order potential. The performance of the GA scheme, and the convergence of the resulting approximation, are analyzed. The results are analyzed for different number of charges and several fractional orders.

Automated design of microwave discrete tuning differential capacitance circuits in Si-integrated technologies

A genetic algorithm used to design radio-frequency binary-weighted differential switched capacitor arrays (RFDSCAs) is presented in this article. The algorithm provides a set of circuits all having the same maximum performance. This article also describes the design, implementation, and measurements results of a 0.25 lm BiCMOS 3-bit RFDSCA. The experimental results show that the circuit presents the expected performance up to 40 GHz. The similarity between the evolutionary solutions, circuit simulations, and measured results indicates that the genetic synthesis method is a very useful tool for designing optimum performance RFDSCAs.