Hossein Zeynal

Multi-thread security constraint economic dispatch with exact loss formulation

This paper proposes a new method for solving economic dispatch problems in electrical power systems through the application of multithread programming. Multi-Thread Interior Point Barrier Algorithm, an efficient quadratic programming algorithm, is used to solve economic dispatch problem. The barrier algorithm also caters for any combination of polynomial functions such as polynomial cost functions. Nonlinear characteristics of electrical power system such as generators limitations, transmission losses and nonlinear cost functions are considered in the economic dispatch formulation. Exact transmission loss formula is used in the equality constraint in the economic dispatch equations. The transmission loss coefficients are calculated by using a multi-thread programming. To ensure the optimal dispatch satisfies the line flow limits, line flow constraints has been added to formulation as a security constraint. This optimization problem enable us to solve economic dispatch problems faster, so it is suitable for unit commitment problems and the other power system problems which need to get reasonable speed. IEEE 30, 57, 118 bus case studies are presented and tested with the proposed method.

Cost-effective and real-time SCADA home energy monitoring system

This paper presents a frugal and vibrant home SCADA energy surveillance system. The proposed SCADA system constructs a conscious mind among users on efficient utilization of electricity to operate home appliances over a daily basis. The developed system enables residential sectors to log in, display and provide real time feedback on energy consumption for each active appliance. Based on simulation results, the proposed monitoring system constantly provides end users with real-time advices on consumption level, while prompting necessary precaution steps in reducing financial losses. Therefore, it results in a tremendous saving on monetary values on energy bill. The developed SCADA system will form a more responsible society, that is, in line with energy efficiency standards as well as demand side management (DSM) strategies in power utilities.

Voltage stability assessment: An approach with expanded Newton Raphson -Sydel

Voltage instability is major cause of cascading failures in the current power systems. Static assessment of voltage stability has been used widely to draw the secure margin of voltage security for the system components. Among the many methods reported, Conventional Newton Raphson method is popular but it suffers from curse of singularity on its Jacobian matrix which precludes converging onto the solution. To overcome this problem, Continuation Power Flow (CPF) method was come up. CPF method is a very powerful method that can give the solution without having the singularity problem. The CPF method has then been improved using new CPF-GMRES method. In contrary, NRS (Newton - Raphson - Seydel) is old method but is fast and accurate. This paper expands existing NRS method which then demonstrated that it is more reliable and faster than CPF-GMRES and NRS. The algorithm tested on practical 350 bus network in IRAN (Khorasan region).

Flexible economic load dispatch integrating electric vehicles

Incorporation of Electric Vehicles (EV) into power grids may pose serious challenges on secure operation of the system. Thus, the conventional ED problem required reformulation, encompassing EVs operational constraints. As a result, ED-EV algorithm can be established, that minimizes total dispatch costs while taking into account a plethora of intertemporal and spatial constraints over a short-term execution. Simulation results exhibited that the proposed ED-EV effectively improves total dispatch costs with a technically-sound use of generation sources in the system. However, an auspicious shift in generation strategies facilitates relieving peak-hours load through the EVs dual operational modes (charging/discharging). Further, the obtained results represented that employing Newton Raphson (NR) load flow instead of an approximated loss technique can procure an accurate and further money-saving solution. Based on the simulations, the integration of the EVs into the grid can immensely enhance the socio and techno-economic aspects of the system operation.

Improving Lagrangian Relaxation Unit Commitment with Cuckoo Search Algorithm

In many utilities, it is essential to devise an optimum commitment solution of generating units for better operational efficiency, under empirical conditions. Among the methods reported in the technical literatures, Dynamic Programming (DP), Lagrangian Relaxation (LR), and Mixed-Integer Programming (MIP) are the most industry proven algorithms in the line of business. This paper improves the available solution offered in LR technique, which was mainly suffered from high fluctuation of duality gap between the primal and dual solutions. As a remedy, a Cuckoo Search Algorithm (CSA) is proposed to optimize the gap progress throughout the LR solution process. Simulation results reiterate that the developed LR-UC integrating CSA enhances the solution quality.

A Comprehensive and Practical Framework for Reliable Scheduling in Project Management

Schedule reliability is essential to successfully achieve EPC (engineering, procurement and constriction) project objectives. Several studies in the past were based on traditional risk management technique which has its own limitations that lack one to obtain a reliable project schedule. To overcome these limitations a comprehensive framework is developed based on the integration of risk management and Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM) that can give a much reliable project scheduling. In the proposed framework, risk analysis is first determined through fuzzy FMEA technique to provide identification of critical risk events (CRE). The effect of CRE on project schedule is then defined and total project time which considers risk factors is calculated. To support risk mitigation, fault tree and event tree analysis are combined which allows the root causes of the risk event be defined and also mitigation strategies determined to control each identified CRE. Eventually, CCPM is distributed which enable implementation of the project based on initial plan and to obtain reasonable Feeding Buffer time on risky tasks. This paper presents the proposed framework using a real case study on construction phases of EPC projects in an electrical power industry.

Intelligent Control Systems for Futuristic Smart Grid Initiatives in Electric Utilities

Substation Automation Systems (SAS) provide reliable bedrock for future smart grid development in electric utilities. Implementation of high quality SAS system enables one to experience less outage rate using the state-of-the-art computerized functions of monitoring, control, and protection. As a result, it can immensely reinforce the reliability index of smart grid systems. However, the inextricable interdependency of cyber and power components in an automated substation creates more vulnerable operation process. In this sense, unlike the power component outage in a substation, a failure of the cyber components in an Ethernet fashion can interrupt the operation as well. Therefore the proper selection of SAS package that offers more reliable performance may hedge massive mal-operation in the system. Since the introduction of multi-vendor SAS based IEC-61850 protocol, the interoperability of various SAS components with variety of manufacturers brands is now possible. This paper surveys the most efficient and used SAS package and the configuration in a HV substation which leads to high reliable performance. Findings can pave the future smart grid development in an effective manner.

Exact and efficient approach in static assessment of Available Transfer Capability (ATC)

This paper suggests an exact approach to deal with static assessment of Available Transfer Capability (ATC). It caters an expanded Newton Raphson-seydel (NRS) to see the problem from different point of view. Conventional Newton Raphson (NR) method has the singularity problem over its Jacobian matrix and thus could fail to get the solution. Continuation Power Flow (CPF) method is a very powerful method that can get the solution without having the singularity problem. The CPF method is improved here using the new CPF-GMRES method. NRS commonly recognize as an old method but it is fast and accurate. All in all, the expanded NRS method is reliable and faster than CPF-GMRES and even NRS. The proposed approach is demonstrated on practical 350 bus network in IRAN (Khorasan region).