Ammar Samir Abd Elazim Zaher

A Multi-Agent Fault Detection System for Wind Turbine Defect Recognition and Diagnosis

This paper describes the use of a combination of anomaly detection and data-trending techniques encapsulated in a multi-agent framework for the development of a fault detection system for wind turbines. Its purpose is to provide early error or degradation detection and diagnosis for the internal mechanical components of the turbine with the aim of minimising overall maintenance costs for wind farm owners. The software is to be distributed and run partly on an embedded microprocessor mounted physically on the turbine and on a PC offsite. The software will corroborate events detected from the data sources on both platforms and provide information regarding incipient faults to the user through a convenient and easy to use interface.

An Improved Lead–Acid Battery Pack Model for Use in Power Simulations of Electric Vehicles

A new model for a lead-acid battery pack is proposed for use in power simulations of electric vehicles. A linear approximation using a constant voltage drop has been used to model the charge-transfer resistance of the battery pack, and an exponential voltage-recovery equation has been used to model the transient capacitance effects following a period of discharge. The new model is easy to implement with simple calculations and easily acquired parameters, combining speed of implementation with accuracy. The new model was found to have a peak error of 3.1% in drive cycle tests, thus comparing favorably to existing models of similar complexity. An initial assessment of the models suitability for use with a lithium-ion battery pack was also performed, finding a peak error of 5%.

Managing Remote Online Partial Discharge Data

The volume of data produced by existing partial discharge monitoring systems is often too large for engineers to examine in detail, leading to data being ignored and useful indicators of health being missed. The case study reported in this paper recorded 21\thinspace839 events around an HVDC reactor over a six-day period. We estimate that it takes 1 min to check whether an event requires detailed study, leading to over two man-months of effort to locate important events in a dataset of this size. Additionally, online monitoring data are stored onsite, and may require an engineers visit for collection. This paper presents an approach to remote partial discharge monitoring, supported by automated data interpretation and prioritization, which enables engineers to remotely find and download important data. Results from the case study are used to illustrate these concepts.

Frequency Restoration Reserves: Provision and activation using a multi-agent demand control system

In this work a control system for restoration reserve providers is proposed in which optimal biddings of restoration reserve capacity are made based on the predicted flexibility of the reserve resources within the portfolio of the reserve provider. It is assumed that the gate closure time for submitting reserve capacity bids is 1 hour before activation time. The reserve capacity bids need to be formed so that activation of the capacity is always feasible, irrespective of the consumption of the portfolio before an activation request. The determination of the optimal reserve capacity bids is only based on aggregated flexibility constraint information received by the individual flexible resources within the portfolio of the reserve provider. No further resource-specific information is used to determine the optimal reserve capacity bid. The activation and dispatch of the required power consumption at real time is done through a market-based multi-agent control system. A simulation example, in which the reserve capacity of a portfolio of batteries is simulated, proves the feasibility of the proposed approach and shows that a high precision of the portfolio response can be obtained.

Distributed framework for prototyping of observability concepts in Smart Grids

Development and testing of distributed monitoring, visualisation, and decision support concepts for future power systems require appropriate modelling tools that represent both the electrical side of the grid, as well as the communication and logical relations between the acting entities. This work presents an Observability Framework for distributed data acquisition and knowledge inference that aims to facilitate the development of these distributed concepts. They are realised as applications that run within the framework and are able to access the information on the grid topology and states via an abstract information model. Data is acquired dynamically over low-level data interfaces that allow for easy integration within heterogeneous environments. A Multi-Agent System platform was chosen for implementation, where agents represent the different electrical and logical grid elements and perform data acquisition, processing, and exchange. The basic capabilities of the framework together with a simple visualisation concept are demonstrated using a simulation of the Power Networks Demonstration Centre (PNDC) laboratory distribution grid.

Enhanced situational awareness and decision support for operators of future distributed power network architectures

This paper describes scenarios proposed for a control room decision support system aimed at future power network operators. The purpose is to consider the requirements of the future control room from the perspective of the operator under the conditions of a significant frequency excursion incident. The control room visualisation and decision support functionality for aiding the operator in restoring the frequency to its target value will be considered. The analysis takes place within the Web-of-Cells framework, adopted to deal with power system control through a web of subsystems, called cells, which are highly automated, and operated by Cell Operators.

Future electricity market structure to ensure large volume of RES

The article define set of rules for future Electricity market structure, taking into account network codes, legislation and directives to ensure RES integration targets and Energy Union Dimensions in term of a fully integrated internal energy market and transition to a long lasting low-carbon society. Presented research studies are based on new way of power system operation development, namely Web-of-cell concept, of FP7 IRP ELECTRA. Its aiming to ensure conceptual E-market design and future power system 2030+ control solutions.

Managing remote on-line partial discharge data

The volume of data produced by existing partial discharge monitoring systems is often too large for engineers to examine in detail, leading to data being ignored and useful indicators of health being missed. The case study reported in this paper recorded 21,839 events around an HVDC reactor over a six day period. We estimate it takes one minute to check if an event requires detailed study, leading to over two man-months of effort to locate important events in a dataset of this size. Additionally, on-line monitoring data is stored on-site, and may require an engineers visit for collection. This paper presents an approach to remote partial discharge monitoring, supported by automated data interpretation and prioritization, which enables engineers to remotely find and download important data. Results from the case study are used to illustrate these concepts.