Thermoeconomic analysis method for optimization of combined heat and power systems. Part I

This article presents a thermoeconomic analysis of cogeneration plants, applied as a rational technique to produce electric power and saturated steam. The aim of this new methodology is the minimum Exergetic Production Cost (EPC), based on the Second Law of Thermodynamics. The variables selected for the optimization are the pressure and the temperature of the steam leaving the boiler in the case of using steam turbine, and the pressure ratio, turbine exhaust temperature and mass flow in the case of using gas turbines. The equations for calculating the capital costs of the components and products are formulated as a function of these decision variables. An application of the method using real data of a multinational chemical industry located in São Paulo state is presented. The conditions which establish the minimum cost are presented as final output. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Primal-dual logarithmic barrier and augmented Lagrangian function to the loss minimization in power systems

This article presents a new approach to minimize the losses in electrical power systems. This approach considers the application of the primal-dual logarithmic barrier method to voltage magnitude and tap-changing transformer variables, and the other inequality constraints are treated by augmented Lagrangian method. The Lagrangian function aggregates all the constraints. The first-order necessary conditions are reached by Newton's method, and by updating the dual variables and penalty factors. Test results are presented to show the good performance of this approach.

Methodology for load compensation in four-wire electrical power systems based on instantaneous sampling

This work describes a methodology for power factor control and correction of the unbalanced currents in four-wire electric circuits. The methodology is based on the insertion of two compensation networks, one wye-grounded neutral and other in delta, in parallel to the load. The mathematical development has been proposed in previous work [3]. In this paper, however, the determination of the compensation susceptances is based on the instantaneous values of load currents. The results are obtained using the MatLab-Simulink enviroment

Electric power systems transient stability analysis by neural networks

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Transient stability analysis of electrical power systems using a neural network based on fuzzy ARTMAP

This work presents a methodology to analyze transient stability for electric energy systems using artificial neural networks based on fuzzy ARTMAP architecture. This architecture seeks exploring similarity with computational concepts on fuzzy set theory and ART (Adaptive Resonance Theory) neural network. The ART architectures show plasticity and stability characteristics, which are essential qualities to provide the training and to execute the analysis. Therefore, it is used a very fast training, when compared to the conventional backpropagation algorithm formulation. Consequently, the analysis becomes more competitive, compared to the principal methods found in the specialized literature. Results considering a system composed of 45 buses, 72 transmission lines and 10 synchronous machines are presented. © 2003 IEEE.

Defects location in power systems components through a dedicated genetic algorithm

In this work the problem of defects location in power systems is formulated through a binary linear programming (BLP) model based on alarms historical database of control and protection devices from the system control center, sets theory of minimal coverage (AI) and protection philosophy adopted by the electric utility. In this model, circuit breaker operations are compared to their expected states in a strictly mathematical manner. For solving this BLP problem, which presents a great number of decision variables, a dedicated Genetic Algorithm (GA), is proposed. Control parameters of the GA, such as crossing over and mutation rates, population size, iterations number and population diversification, are calibrated in order to obtain efficiency and robustness. Results for a test system found in literature, are presented and discussed. © 2004 IEEE.

Mathematical optimisation techniques applied to power system operation and planning

Nowadays, power system operation becomes more complex because of the critical operating conditions resulting from the requirements of a market-driven operation. In this context, efficient methods for optimisation of power system operation and planning become critical to satisfy the operational (technical), financial and economic demands. Therefore, the detailed analysis of modern optimisation techniques as well as their application to the power system problems represent a relevant issue from the scientific and technological points of view. This paper presents a brief overview of the developments on modern mathematical optimisation methods applied to power system operation and planning. Copyright © 2007 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

Placement and sizing evaluation of distributed generation in electric power systems

This paper presents a methodology for the placement and sizing evaluation of distributed generation (DG) in electric power systems. The candidate locations for DG placement are identified on the bases of Locational Marginal Prices (LMP's) obtained from an optimal power flow solution. The problem is formulated for two different objectives: social welfare maximization and profit maximization. For each DG unit an optimal placement is identified for each of the objectives.

Harmonic content identification based on neural method for single phase power systems

An alternative method is presented in this paper to identify the harmonic components of non-linear loads in single phase power systems based on artificial neural networks. The components are identified by analyzing the single phase current waveform in time domain in half-cycle of the ac voltage source. The proposed method is compared to the fast Fourier transform. Simulation and experimental results are presented to validate the proposed approach.

Simplified computational routine to correct the modal decoupling in transmission lines and power systems modelling

Modal analysis is widely approached in the classic theory of power systems modelling. This technique is also applied to model multiconductor transmission lines and their self and mutual electrical parameters. However, this methodology has some particularities and inaccuracies for specific applications, which are not clearly described in the technical literature. This study provides a brief review on modal decoupling applied in transmission line digital models and thereafter a novel and simplified computational routine is proposed to overcome the possible errors embedded by the modal decoupling in the simulation/ modelling computational algorithm. © The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2013.

Evaluation of Human Exposure to Magnetic Fields Generated by Electric Power Systems in Complex Configurations

The international growing concern for the human exposure to magnetic fields generated by electric power lines has unavoidably led to imposing legal limits. Respecting these limits, implies being able to calculate easily and accurately the generated magnetic field also in complex configurations. Twisting of phase conductors is such a case. The consolidated exact and approximated theory regarding a single-circuit twisted three-phase power cable line has been reported along with the proposal of an innovative simplified formula obtained by means of an heuristic procedure. This formula, although being dramatically simpler, is proven to be a good approximation of the analytical formula and at the same time much more accurate than the approximated formula found in literature. The double-circuit twisted three-phase power cable line case has been studied following different approaches of increasing complexity and accuracy. In this framework, the effectiveness of the above-mentioned innovative formula is also examined. The experimental verification of the correctness of the twisted double-circuit theoretical analysis has permitted its extension to multiple-circuit twisted three-phase power cable lines. In addition, appropriate 2D and, in particularly, 3D numerical codes for simulating real existing overhead power lines for the calculation of the magnetic field in their vicinity have been created. Finally, an innovative ‘smart’ measurement and evaluation system of the magnetic field is being proposed, described and validated, which deals with the experimentally-based evaluation of the total magnetic field B generated by multiple sources in complex three-dimensional arrangements, carried out on the basis of the measurement of the three Cartesian field components and their correlation with the field currents via multilinear regression techniques. The ultimate goal is verifying that magnetic induction intensity is within the prescribed limits.

Arc-flash analysis of utility power systems

The electric utility business is an inherently dangerous area to work in with employees exposed to many potential hazards daily. One such hazard is an arc flash. An arc flash is a rapid release of energy, referred to as incident energy, caused by an electric arc. Due to the random nature and occurrence of an arc flash, one can only prepare and minimize the extent of harm to themself, other employees and damage to equipment due to such a violent event. Effective January 1, 2009 the National Electric Safety Code (NESC) requires that an arc-flash assessment be performed by companies whose employees work on or near energized equipment to determine the potential exposure to an electric arc. To comply with the NESC requirement, Minnesota Power’s (MP’s) current short circuit and relay coordination software package, ASPEN OneLinerTM and one of the first software packages to implement an arc-flash module, is used to conduct an arc-flash hazard analysis. At the same time, the package is benchmarked against equations provided in the IEEE Std. 1584-2002 and ultimately used to determine the incident energy levels on the MP transmission system. This report goes into the depth of the history of arc-flash hazards, analysis methods, both software and empirical derived equations, issues of concern with calculation methods and the work conducted at MP. This work also produced two offline software products to conduct and verify an offline arc-flash hazard analysis.