Muhammad Aslam Uqaili

Renewable Energy for Managing Energy Crisis in Pakistan

Only 55% of the Pakistan’s population has access to electricity and per capita supply is about 520 kWh. At present, the people are facing severe load shedding/blackout problems due to shortage of about 3 GW power supply. Gas and oil have 65% share in conventional electricity generation. Indigenous reserves of oil and gas are limited and the country heavily depends on imported oil. The oil import bill is a serious strain on the country’s economy. Though there is huge coal potential in the country but has not been utilized due to various reasons. This shows that Pakistan must develop renewables to manage the energy crises. This paper analyses the prospects of renewables for managing the energy crises in the country. The study concludes that there is substantial potential of renewables in the country for managing the present energy crises as well as meeting the future energy needs.

Clustering Based Energy Efficient and Communication Protocol for Multiple Mix-Zones Over Road Networks

The collection of information is one of the most crucial processes in many internet-enabled applications for multiple mix-zones over road networks. It is essential to use road networks for prolonged time duration in an energy efficient manner. However, network life time increases in response of reducing the stability period (i.e. time required before first node dies).The stability period reduces due to the high energy variance of nodes. In this paper, we present a protocol named as clustering based energy efficient and communication protocol (CEECP) for multiple mix-zones over road networks, which is proposed to reduce the loop holes of prevailing clustering protocols. Additionally, we present a novel CEECP for chain scenario to connect with the road side units for gaining benefits of V2V as well as, V2I communication for Cooperative Traffic Information Systems. The stability period is responsible to preserve coverage properties of the network. It analysis that as the stability period increases, the trustworthiness of the network increases. Hence, it is indispensable to articulate a clustering protocol that shall be energy efficient, low energy variant and of high stability. It has been proved that our scheme outperforms SEECP and VBN as well as, includes its variants with respect to stability period and energy variance.

Emerging Trends and Applications in Information Communication Technologies

For countries like Pakistan where demand of energy is being increased every year, the design of a framework that analyzes the impact of adding renewable energy to the power grid is of high interest. Such analysis may help ensure a reliable energy supply, and identify energy savings opportunities. Appropriate simulation tools are needed in order to discover the best approach. Such impact analysis also results in cost-effective generation and, further, in environmental improvements. In this paper, one analysis frame work is proposed. The main objective of this study is to propose a framework that helps optimize development and implementation of renewable energy resources focusing on their probable advantages to improve both the electricity system and the environment. The results of this analysis will be helpful in determining the performance issues related to generation, transmission and green technology. Prime locations inside system may be identified where adequate renewable generation may efficiently address transmission crisis.

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.

Wireless Sensor Networks for Developing Countries

To improve the sampling frequency of water diversion to distributary canals and to improve equity of distribution and data handling we have developed a smart electronic water meter based on ultrasonic sensors and GPRS modem to frequently record and transmit the water diversion data to a centralized server. The server processes the data to extract useful information for example seasonal cumulative water deliveries and discharge time series. The Wireless Sensor Node (WSN) inspired design is extremely low-power, field deployable and scalable with respect to cost and numbers. This paper, reports the first steps towards practical realization of a smart water grid in the Indus river basin, conceptualized by the authors in previous theoretical studies.

Impact Analysis of Renewable Energy in National Grids for Energy Deficit Countries

For countries like Pakistan where demand of energy is being increased every year, the design of a framework that analyzes the impact of adding renewable energy to the power grid is of high interest. Such analysis may help ensure a reliable energy supply, and identify energy savings opportunities. Appropriate simulation tools are needed in order to discover the best approach. Such impact analysis also results in cost-effective generation and, further, in environmental improvements. In this paper, one analysis frame work is proposed. The main objective of this study is to propose a framework that helps optimize development and implementation of renewable energy resources focusing on their probable advantages to improve both the electricity system and the environment. The results of this analysis will be helpful in determining the performance issues related to generation, transmission and green technology. Prime locations inside system may be identified where adequate renewable generation may efficiently address transmission crisis.

Estimation of Compensation Current Reference using Fuzzy Logic Controller for Three-Phase Hybrid Active Power Filter

ABSTRACT This research deals with design of three-phase hybrid active power filter to reduce the current distortions caused by non-linear loads. The Instantaneous Active and Reactive Power Method (p-q) is used to perform the identification of disturbing currents. The p-q algorithm generates the reference compensation current signal, while this generated reference compensation current signal is exactly followed by the output current of the voltage source converter. Fuzzy logic controller for three-phase hybrid active power filter is used to generate the switching signals in order to control the output currents of voltage source converter. Simulation results showed that the hybrid active power filter can compensate the harmonic currents effectively and improve power quality. Keywords Hybrid Active Filter, p-q theorem, Total Harmonic Distortion, Fuzzy Logic Controller. 1. INTRODUCTION Nowadays industries prefer to use power electronics based devices due to their effectiveness. Though these power electronics based devices are advantageous to the electronics and electrical industry, these devices generate and inject the harmonics in the power industry. These harmonic are known as electrical disturbance which is the main cause of the power quality associated harms. The industrial process is affected by the power quality problems. Therefore for improving the quality of the power supply this harmonic distortion should be decreased with the help of the filters. In the literature, various topologies of active power filters (APFs) have been presented for mitigation of harmonics [1-3]. The APF topologies are not cost-effective for the application of high power because of their high rating and very high switching frequency of pulse width modulator (PWM) converter. Thus LC passive filters (PFs) are used for harmonic filtration of such large nonlinear loads. Low cost and high reliability is the main advantage of PFs. However, PFs suffer from some shortcomings for example, the performance of these filters is affected due to the varying impedance of the system and with the utility system the series and parallel resonances may be created, which cause current harmonics increase in the supply [4-5]. As discussed above both APFs and PFs suffer from a number of disadvantages. Therefore another solution of harmonic mitigation, called hybrid active power filter (HAPF), has been introduced. Hybrid active power filters (HAPF) provide the combined advantages of APF and PPF and eliminate their disadvantages. These topologies are cost effective solutions of the high-power power quality problems with well filtering performance. This research paper is restricted to the (HAPF). The (HAPF) is specially designed to compensate the reactive power and decrease the harmonic currents occurred on the side of load from the grid, by injecting the current having same magnitude but opposite in the phase direction of the harmonic current [6]. In the literature a number of methods have been emphasized for identification of reference current [7-12]. For identification of disturbing current the instantaneous reactive power method has been used in this paper. For controlling the output currents of the converter, to follow the reference currents, hysteresis current controller have been used in [13-15].The implementation of hysteresis current controller is simple and its performance is also excellent. However, this controller suffers from drawbacks. Its main drawback is to generate the variable switching frequency. Therefore reliability and efficiency of hybrid active power filter is affected [16]. To avoid these drawbacks, this paper present the fuzzy logic based current controller to control the output currents of the voltage source converter. Although to control the output current of converter based on fuzzy based is not new [17-18], this approach with 15 rules has not yet being applied to proposed filter.

An Overview of the Challenges for Cost-Effective and Energy-Efficient Retrofits of the Existing Building Stock

Abstract The building sector consumes approximately one-third of global primary energy. The energy and environmental performance of buildings for all their energy uses have to be revisited. Building energy retrofitting provides substantial opportunities to reduce the level of building energy consumption, saves cost, improves comfort level, and mitigates greenhouse gas emissions. Building retrofitting is a form of technical intrusion in the energy system of a building to effectively utilize its energy. The aim of the chapter is to identify the optimal cost-effective energy-retrofitting strategy. A holistic retrofitting scenario has been considered that includes reduced energy consumption, cost savings, capital investments, emissions, technology behavioral change, and comfort indexing, along with sustainability concerns involving geometry and envelope construction. However, this study primarily focused on energy systems within the building envelope. In addition, various uncertainty parameters and risk factors have been considered. Multifaceted optimal retrofitting strategies based on the optimized decisions are prioritized to address these challenges. Additionally, some challenges for simulation toolkits have been discussed for the success of the building energy retrofit project. This work helps building practitioners and researchers with in-depth understanding challenges for cost-effective optimal retrofitting within buildings to attain energy conservation and sustainability.

The seasonal evolution of fruit, vegetable and yard wastes by mono, co and tri-digestion at Hyderabad, Sindh Pakistan

The contribution of biowastes in municipal solid waste (MSW) is increasing day by day and being dumped in open atmosphere along with other wastes in every city of Pakistan. This study was formulated to evaluate the feasibility of biowastes such as fruit, vegetable and yard wastes of different seasons individual and mixing at different ratios to optimize methane production at Hyderabad Sindh, Pakistan. Batch digestion of selected samples was conducted for 40 days under mesophilic condition. Methane yield of individual fruit, vegetable and yard wastes (FrVYW) of summer and winter season was obtained in the range of 0.36-0.40 L/g VS and 0.39-0.44 L/g VS added respectively. The results of co-digestion of FrVYW of summer and winter season were observed in the range of 0.42-0.45 L/g VS added and 0.46 to 0.54 L/g VS added respectively. The results of tri-digestion of FrVYW of summer and winter season were achieved in the range of 0.46-0.53 L/g VS added and 0.56-0.62 L/g VS added respectively. Findings of study showed that methane production potential of tri-digestions were highest than all of others and that of co-digestion were higher than mono-digestion of FrVYW. Overall results of study concluded that tri-digestion of FrVYW at the equal blending ratio reported highest methane potential. Therefore, the study recommended that tri-digestion of FrVYW at equal mixing ratio is an optimal ratio for anaerobic digestion process to yield maximum methane production from FrVYW.