University of the West of
Faculty of CEMS
Frenchay Campus,
BS16 1QY
Telephone: 0044 117 328 82631
Fax: 0044 117 328 83800
Email address: hassan.Nouri@uwe.ac.uk
URL: http://www.uwe.ac.uk/cems/research/peesg.shtml
Fault analysis, Distribution
automation, Artificial Intelligence, Power system operation, Flexible AC
Transmission Systems (FACTS)
Unlisted key words: Switchgears, Electric Arc Modelling
Intelligent Multi-agent approach to Fault Location and
Diagnosis on Power Distribution Networks:
The information available to help control engineers detect locate and diagnose
faults in Power distribution networks is very limited. The project aims to
identify measurement techniques to pinpoint and diagnose faults. Intelligent
multi-agent based software will be developed to assist the control room
engineers to take appropriate action to maintain supply to customers This
research programme involves staff from the Intelligent Autonomous Systems (IAS)
laboratory and the Power Systems and Electronics Research Group (PSERG) in
providing supervision and technical support for two bursary funded students.
Developments in Switchgear:
This programme involves a number of projects aimed at improving the performance
reliability and durability of electro-mechanical switches. A mathematical model
of the arc which exists between electrodes when switches operate is being
developed. The amount of arc energy received by an electrode has been measured
from the electrode's surface temperature and, most recently, using the ANSYS
Finite Element computer package. The distribution of the arc energy as heat to
each electrode has been estimated through simulation for a condition where the
arc power is distributed equally between the two electrodes. Other projects in
this area have involved investigations to determine the optimum switching
point's opening and closing for minimising contact erosion.
Application of FACTS to Maintenance of Power System Integrity:
In an electrical power system consumer demand must always be met by generator
supply. With the privatisation of the electricity supply industry in the early
1990's maintenance of system integrity has become significantly more complex.
Transmission and distribution companies must devise methods for dealing with
the effects of short term mismatch between supply and demand. This programme
seeks to identify situations in which power system oscillation and/or voltage
collapse could potentially occur and offer remedies using Flexible Alternating
Current Transmissions Systems (FACTS) devices.
Other projects in which the Group has been or is involved include:
DC regeneration onto the AC grid by forced commutated inversion.
Power quality of wind turbine generating systems integrated with the grid.
Supercapacitors as energy storage devices in hybrid electric vehicles, in
collaboration with BP Research,
Facilities available to the group:
The Power Systems & Electronics Research Group laboratory houses a number
of electric motor/generator machine sets with industry standard variable speed
drive, obtained from previous research projects, simulation of electric
vehicles, power distribution systems and wind-turbines.
Computer-aided design tools include EMTP and PSCAD/EMTDC for electrical
transient simulation, ERACS for power systems modelling, ANSYS for Finite
Element Analysis, MATLAB for control system modelling and design, and VISSIM
for traffic flow simulation. These packages allow modelling of complex
electro-mechanical and transport systems and investigation of system control
strategies.