Mohammed Seifu Kemal

On-line configuration of network emulator for intelligent energy system testbed applications

Intelligent energy networks (or Smart Grids) provide efficient solutions for a grid integrated with near-real-time communication technologies between various grid assets in power generation, transmission and distribution systems. The design of a communication network associated with intelligent power system involves detailed analysis of its communication requirements, a proposal of the appropriate protocol architecture, the choice of appropriate communication technologies for each case study, and a means to support heterogeneous communication technology management system. This paper discuses a mechanism for on-line configuration and monitoring of heterogeneous communication technologies implemented at smart energy system testbed of Aal-borg university. It proposes a model with three main components, a network emulator used to emulate the communication scenarios using KauNet, graphical user interface for visualizing, configuring and monitoring of the emulated scenarios and a network socket linking the graphic server and network emulation server on-line. Specifically, our focus area is to build a model that gives us ability to look at some of the challenges on implementing inter-operable and resilient Smart Grid networks and how the current state of the art communication technologies are employed for smart control of energy distribution grids.

Observability of low voltage grids: Actual DSOs challenges and research questions

Low Voltage (LV) distribution power grids are experiencing a transformation from a passive to a more active role due to the increasing penetration of distributed generation, heat pumps and electrical vehicles. The first step towards a smarter operation of LV electrical systems is to provide grid observability in the control centers. In some countries like Denmark, the rollout of Advanced Metering Infrastructures (AMI) has reached 100%. However, the vast amount of data sent from the smart meters to the control centers stresses the communication network, and complicates the data processing tasks. It becomes unrealistic to provide near real time full observability of the LV grid by applying Distribution System State Estimation (DSSE) utilizing the classical data collection and storage/preprocessing techniques. This paper investigates up-to-date the observability problem in LV grids by providing an updated state of the art on DSSE-AMI based, adaptive data collection techniques and database management system types. Moreover, the ongoing Danish RemoteGRID project is presented as a realistic case study.

DiSC-OPAL: A simulation framework for real-time assessment of distribution grids

Smart grid functionalities require developing, testing and verification of complex systems in a realistic environment that captures the three main domains: Control, ICT, and Electrical Grid. Real-time simulations that can support hardware in the loop methods have a pivotal role for modeling of such systems. The simulation tool should be able to model Electrical Grid and flexible assets with different time scales and resolution levels fulfilling specific functionalities. In this paper DiSC-OPAL, an OPAL-RT compatible toolbox library for modelling of assets is presented. The library is suitable for demand response and power/energy management applications. To demonstrate its functionality and usage, active power management scenario in real-time environment coupled with communication network emulation is outlined.

Gateway placement for wirless mesh networks in smart grid network planning

Smart Grid components by nature, are spread over geographical locations, with generation points and consumption locations distributed and spread out on large areas, it is obvious that there is a need for a proper management of location intelligence. Location intelligence provides information essential for smart, efficient and self-healing systems. For upper management, it provides information used for making strategic decisions, mapping of customers, prospects and suppliers. Regarding operations, it gives information of different smart grid components such as smart meters, aggregators, substations, transformers and alternative energy sources. This paper deals with the placement of gateways for data aggregators in a Smart Grid, mainly for proposing a placement algorithm which increases the overall throughput of the network. The problem is treated from a networking point of view, by using wireless mesh networks as the communications environment and implementing a Maximum Traffic Flow Weight algorithm (MTFW) for defining an optimal position of gateways to data aggregators used in Automatic Metering Infrastructure (AMI). MTFW algorithm is tested by comparing it to other placement algorithms. It is further used for network planning implementation by using GIS data from a real life scenario. The resulting network plan is visualized with standard tool MapInfo Professional.

Analysis of timing requirements for data aggregation and control in smart grids

Modern communication mechanisms are at the heart of a smart grid system to ensure that the required information is transmitted within various components of the grid. Throughout this paper, we have studied how communication performance delays and smart grid controller delays effects the overall control system operation. The main goal of this paper is to propose and analyze resource allocation algorithm satisfying delay requirements of the communication infrastructure and the controller. Simulation of a communication network is implemented using OMNeT++ to study and record the corresponding delays. The collected data is used to train resource allocation learning algorithm implemented in Matlab. The method will enable us to have numerical evaluation of time allocation for the communication network and the controller by taking into account constraints present on the system.