Irfan Ahmed Halepoto

Impact of distributed generation on network short circuit level

Distributed generation (DG) technology is spreading rapidly owing to advantages of clean environment, loss reduction and voltage improvement. Utilities in Pakistan are welcoming all generations to increase their supply capacity. Industries are installing DGs to meet their load requirements. In order to reduce energy bills, DGs are being used to supply spare power back to utility or even in off peak durations. DG interconnection changes electrical network characteristics of existing utility network. Protection problems may occur in the form of relay settings, islanding and increased short circuit currents. This paper investigates the effects of DG interconnection on short circuit currents. A feeder of SITE industrial area of Karachi is modeled and simulated for short circuit analysis. Analysis shows that DG interconnection to a radial feeder increases short circuit level at all nodes of the feeder.

Analyzing the Impacts of Distributed Generation Integration on Distribution Network: A Corridor Towards Smart Grid Implementation in Pakistan

Renewable power generation sources used as distributed generations (DGs) are increasing rapidly all around the world. Apart from environmental advantages, DGs result in reduction of power losses, improvement of bus voltages, increased system reliability, stability, power quality and ease of operation. In this work, the impacts of DG on power losses, bus voltages and short circuit level of the power system are investigated with different case strategies of DG interconnections. With every strategic case, the DG impacts on power system are analyzed by network simulation through Power System Simulator Siemens Network Calculator software (PSS SINCAL). Significant power losses and voltage improvement were observed depending on size and strategic locations of DG interconnections. Slight increase in network short circuit levels is observed within permissible limits of protection devices. The communication prospects of DG and Smart Grid Integration are also discussed to enable the monitoring, control of interconnected DG units with a two-way electricity and information flow to develop an automated distributed energy network. Finally, an attempt is made to strategize a simple and gradually applicable model of controlling the network conditions through the integration of DGs. Using the state of art of DG integration models, the gradually implementable smart grid system is proposed for under developed countries, like Pakistan.

Design and Development of Hexapod using Nitinol Actuator Wire

Objectives: This research work involves the design and implementation of Hexapod robot which is a small, inexpensive, six-legged robot. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Hexapod robots from decennium have gained considerable attention in various research and development sectors. This research work involves the design and implementation of Hexapod robot which is a small, inexpensive, six-legged robot intended to replace huge and heavy robotic that are used in space applications, industries for lifting purpose containing solenoids and servo motors. Findings: Initial stage of research work involves design and construction of the structure of Hexapod. Plastic material is used for the construction of body and a Nitinol actuator wire is used to drive the Hexapod’s legs. The final stage involves Hexapod interfacing with Arduino and HBridge module for supply to achieve proper locomotion of the Hexapod. Specifically, real element like mechanical structure, legs arrangement, impelling, payload, movement condition and waking walk are considered in proposed system design. In this work, a novel robot is constructed and found that conservative, and lightweight Hexapod robot demonstrates guarantee for use in space, therapeutic, and other large scale robotic applications. Application/Improvements: Due to the unique actuating mechanism of nitinol wire the proposed and developed model has the impact significance in many application fields.