Design of a distributed power system stabiliser

A new design method for a distributed power system stabiliser for interconnected power systems is introduced in this paper. The stabiliser is of a low order, dynamic and robust. To generate the required local control signals, each local stabiliser requires information about either the rotor speed or the load angle of the other subsystems. A simple MATLAB based design algorithm is given and used on a three-machine unstable power system. The resulting stabiliser is simulated and sample results are presented.

Design of electrical infrastructure at container terminal and 'net metering'

Net metering is generally a consumer-based incentive for renewable sources such as wind or solar power systems also referred to as dasiacogenerationdasia. It is still a grey area for container terminals with large electric machines, such as quay cranes, automatic stacking cranes, that can operate in the regenerative mode and export electric energy to the grid. With actual measured electrical data presented for discussion, this paper provides information for the readers to provide a better understanding of their access to net metering, ultilizing their electrical equipment capabilities and be informed for their next negotiation with the power supply company.

Power analysis and simulation of a vehicle under combined loads

This paper presents an analytical model of fuel consumption (AMFC) to coordinate the driving power and manage the overall fuel consumption for an internal combustion engine vehicle. The model calculates the different loads applied on the vehicle including road-slope, road-friction, wind-drag, accessories, and mechanical losses. Also, it solves the combustion equation of the engine under different working conditions including various fuel compositions, excess airs and air inlet temperatures. Then it determines the contribution of each load to signify the energy distribution and power flows of the vehicle. Unlike the conventional models in which the vehicle speed needs to be given as an input, the developed model can predict the vehicle speed and acceleration under different working conditions by allowing the speed to vary within a predefined range only. Furthermore, the model indicates the ways to minimises the vehicles' fuel consumption under various driving conditions. The results show that the model has the potential to assist in the vehicle energy management.

Utilising solar energy within conventional coal fired power stations

Although the thermodynamic advantages of using solar energy to replace the bled off steam in the regeneration system of Rankine cycle coal fired power stations has been proven theoretically, the practical techno/economic feasibility of the concept has yet to be confirmed relative to real power station applications. To investigate this concept further, computer modelling software “THERMSOLV” was specifically developed for this project at Deakin University, together with the support of the Victorian power industry and Australian Research Council (ARC). This newly developed software simulates the steam cycle to assess the techno/economic merit of the solar aided concept for various power station structures, locations and local electricity market conditions. Two case studies, one in Victoria Australia and one in Yunnan Province, China, have been carried out with the software. Chapter one of this thesis defines the aims and scope of this study. Chapter two details the literature search in the related areas for this study. The thermodynamic concept of solar aid power generation technology has been described in chapter three. In addition, thermodynamic analysis i.e. exergy/availability has been described in this chapter. The “Thermosolv” software developed in this study is detailed in chapter four with its structure, functions and operation manual included. In chapter five the outcomes of two case studies using the “Thermosolv” software are presented, with discussions and conclusions about the study in chapters 6 and 7 respectfully. The relevant recommendations are then made in chapter eight.

Hybrid cooling system for water conservation in conventional power stations

This thesis proposes the concept of a hybrid cooling system to minimise water consumption in thermal power stations. It identifies that a significant amount of water can be potentially saved by the proposed system. Additional energy input requirements were less than previous approaches considered.

Too close for comfort : a fishway exit and a hydro-power station inlet

A major environmental issue for hydro-electric power generation is passage of fish through turbines, or entrainment onto trash racks. At Yarrawonga Weir, on the upper Murray River in south-eastern Australia, the positioning of a fish lock resulted in the potential for upstream migrating fish to be swept back into the adjacent power station by cross flows. In 2004, a 4.5-m long steel extension flume was attached to the exit to alleviate this problem. To determine the fate of native fish after exiting the extension flume, 72 individuals (305–1015 mm long) were implanted with radio-transmitters and released into the fish lock exit channel. In 2004 (power station inflows 10 300 ML day^–1), the majority of fish exited successfully (44 of 45) and only a single fish (2%) was entrained into the power station. In 2005 (power station inflows 12 000 ML day^–1), fish again exited successfully (26 of 27) but with a higher proportion entrained (5 of 27; 18%). This reduced success appeared to be related to strong transverse flows with high water velocities adjacent to the fish lock exit. The efficiency of fish passage at this site might be improved by altering water management strategies, integrating engineering and fish biology, and through field-testing of proposed solutions

Needleless electrospinning : developments and performances

Electrospinning technique has attracted a lot of interests recently, although it was invented in as early as 1934 by Anton (Anton, 1934). A basic electrospinning setup normally comprises a high voltage power supply, a syringe needle connected to power supply, and a counter-electrode collector as shown in Fig. 1. During electrospinning, a high electric voltage is applied to the polymer solution, which highly electrifies the solution droplet at the needle tip (Li & Xia, 2004). As a result, the solution droplet at the needle tip receives electric forces, drawing itself toward the opposite electrode, thus deforming into a conical shape (also known as “Taylor cone” (Taylor, 1969)). When the electric force overcomes the surface tension of the polymer solution, the polymer solution ejects off the tip of the “Taylor cone” to form a polymer jet. The charged jet is stretched by the strong electric force into a fine filament. Randomly deposited dry fibers can be obtained on the collector due to the evaporation of solvent in the filament. There are many factors affecting the electrospinning process and fiber properties, including polymer materials (e.g. polymer structure, molecular weight, solubility), solvent (e.g. boiling point, dielectric properties), solution properties (e.g. viscosity, concentration, conductivity, surface tension), operating conditions (e.g. applied voltage, collecting distance, flow rate), and ambient environment (e.g. temperature, gas environment, humidity).

Effect of nozzle polarity and connection on electrospinning of polyacrylonitrile nanofibers

In this study, two power supplies having positive/ground and negative/ground electrode output ends were used separately for electrospinning of polyacrylonitrile nanofibers. Depending on type of power supply and electrode connection, electrospinning led to different fiber diameters and deposition areas. The nozzle was connected to a high voltage end while the collector was grounded. Regardless of power supply used, finer fibers with a larger deposition area were obtained, compared to that using the same setup but with a reverse electrode connection. With an increase in the applied voltage, fiber deposition area, and productivity increased for all electrode connections. Grounded nozzles provide much better control over fiber deposition than the reverse electrode connections. Finite element modeling was used to analyze the electric field profile in the electrospinning zone. It was revealed that high electric intensity was mainly located in the part that was charged with a high voltage electrode, which could explain the differences in fiber diameter and deposition area.

Power plant cooling technologies : hybrid cooling systems can save water

In addition to water saving, the hybrid cooling concept presented in this book also has the potential to improve energy efficiency and possibly reduce CO2 emission by recovering and upgrading the 'waste' energy from the cooling water stream.Yilmaz and Kouzani are at Deakin Uni, Hessami is at Monash Uni, Hu is at Uni of Adelaide.

Hybrid prediction method for solar power using different computational intelligence algorithms

Computational Intelligence (CI) holds the key to the development of smart grid to overcome the challenges of planning and optimization through accurate prediction of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). This paper presents an architectural framework for the construction of hybrid intelligent predictor for solar power. This research investigates the applicabil- ity of heterogeneous regression algorithms for 6 hour ahead solar power availability forecasting using historical data from Rockhampton, Australia. Real life solar radiation data is collected across six years with hourly resolution from 2005 to 2010. We observe that the hybrid prediction method is suitable for a reliable smart grid energy management. Prediction reliability of the proposed hybrid prediction method is carried out in terms of prediction error performance based on statistical and graphical methods. The experimental results show that the proposed hybrid method achieved acceptable prediction accuracy. This potential hybrid model is applicable as a local predictor for any proposed hybrid method in real life application for 6 hours in advance prediction to ensure constant solar power supply in the smart grid operation.

Grassroots energy: a case study of active citizenship and public communication in risk society

In 2001, the Victorian state government approved the construction of a 500-megawatt power station at Stonehaven by US multinational corporation, AES Power One. In 2002 plans had stalled and the company had withdrawn from the process. By March, 2002 the state government flagged that the power station was no longer required to meet power supply demands. This paper applies Beck’s theories of risk society and reflexive modernisation to a case study. It asks to what extent is Australia a risk society? Is the Stonehaven case part of a larger-scale cultural and political movement and if so what are the consequences for corporate and civil citizenship and public communication in Australia?

Stabilisation of brown coal fly ash using geopolymers

This research explores geopolymer technology as a means of stabilising fly ash from power stations. By controlling the synthesis process, geopolymeric materials incorporating fly ash were synthesised. Successful stabilisation of strontium and barium was achieved, though attributed to side reactions. The geopolymer did not contribute significantly to stabilisation of fly ash.

A study on plug-in hybrid electic vehicles

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), which is a hybrid vehicle whose batteries can be recharged by plugging into an electric power source, is creating many interests due to its significant potential to improve fuel efficiency and reduce pollution. PHEVs would be the next generation of vehicles that are expected to replace conventional hybrid electric vehicles. This paper presents a study on PHEV. It gives a review of different drivetrain architectures associated with PHEVs. In addition, different control strategies that could bring about realization of advantages of PHEV capabilities are discussed and compared.