Kevin Tomsovic
Associate Professor
- PO Box 642752
- School of EECS
- Washington State University
- Pullman, WA 99164-2752
- Telephone: 509-335-8260
- Fax: 509-335-3818
- Email address: tomsovic@eecs.wsu.edu
- URL: http://www.eecs.wsu.edu/~tomsovic
Key words:
Deregulation,
Intelligent systems,
Distribution systems,
Optimization,
Fuzzy Logic,
Research description:
Power system deregulation, increased system complexity, improved
data-gathering, new generation technology and the expanded role of
computers in a power system have created the need for more sophisticated
planning and operation tools. Kevin Tomsovic has been applying
"intelligent" system methods and other advances in computer technology
to contemporary power system problems.
One area of work focuses on investigating optimization and "reasoning"
methods for distribution system design and operation, including protection
design, expansion planning, maintenance resource allocation and the use of
dispersed generation units. The goal of these projects is to develop new
paradigms and greatly improve performance of the distribution system.
Deregulation of the power industry may greatly increase the complexity of
controlling the power system and reaching sound economic decisions. This has
created the need for advancements in localized control methodologies under
uncertainty. Initial efforts in this direction have focused on the
development of robust fuzzy logic controllers for FACTS devices and power
system stabilizers. Progress has been achieved in developing design
methodologies and stability analysis methods for rule based controllers
under uncertainty. Another project considers that competing in the market
place will require price based unit commitment and dispatch approaches.
Methods for creating competitive bids in the market place using game theory
has been developed.
Strategies to incorporate uncertain competitor actions into the unit
commitment problem is on-going.
Laboratory facilities:
The power engineering group at WSU has developed several laboratories
to assist in instruction and research at both the graduate and undergraduate
levels. A relay lab, established with assistance from Schweitzer
Engineering Laboratories, allows students to use PCs to control relay test
procedures and access test data. Available in the lab are traditional
electromechanical relays, solid state relays and microprocessor based relays.
In addition, a power machines laboratory was designed with the assistance
of an NSF instructional laboratory improvement grant. Students can take
measurements and control 3-f 2kVA motor-generators using PCs. A third
laboratory named the power systems computational laboratory has been recently
completed. Available large system software includes EMTP, stability analysis
programs, load flow and generation dispatch. This laboratory will provide a
systems view that cannot be readily ascertained from observing individual
power system components.
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