Power and Energy Commons^™

Adaptive Voltage Control Methods Using Distributed Energy Resources, Huijuan Li

Doctoral Dissertations

Distributed energy resources (DE) with power electronics interfaces and logic control using local measurements are capable of providing reactive power related to ancillary system services. In particular, local voltage regulation has drawn much attention in regards to power system reliability and voltage stability, especially from past major cascading outages. This dissertation addresses the challenges of controlling the DEs to regulate the local voltage in distribution systems.

First, an adaptive voltage control method has been proposed to dynamically modify the control parameters of a single DE to respond to system changes such that the ideal response can be achieved. Theoretical analysis …

Multi-Modular Integral Pressurized Water Reactor Control And Operational Reconfiguration For A Flow Control Loop, Sergio Ricardo Pereira Perillo

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation focused on the IRIS design since this will likely be one of the designs of choice for future deployment in the U.S and developing countries. With a net 335 MWe output IRIS novel design falls in the “medium” size category and it is a potential candidate for the so called modular reactors, which may be appropriate for base load electricity generation, especially in regions with smaller electricity grids, but especially well suited for more specialized non-electrical energy applications such as district heating and process steam for desalination. The first objective of this dissertation is to evaluate and quantify …

Effect Of Impurities On Performance Of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Components, Kitiya Hongsirikarn

All Dissertations

It is believed that proton–exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are going to be exploited as power generation devices for stationary, automotive, and portable applications in the near future because of their high performance and environmental friendliness. Up to the present, wide spread utilization of PEMFCs is not viable because of their cost and durability in the presence of fuel and oxidant stream impurities. These impurities include NH₃, hydrocarbons, CO, CO₂, halogenated compounds, cations, etc. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of these harmful contaminants containing in the H₂ fuel stream on …

Concept For Next Generation Phasor Measurement: A Low-Cost, Self-Contained, And Wireless Design, Brian Ray Miller

Masters Theses

Phasor measurement is a growth technology in the power grid industry. With new funding, grid reliability concerns, and power capacity margin motivating a smart grid transformation, phasor measurement and smart metering are taking center stage as the implementation methods for grid intelligence. This thesis proposes a novel concept for designing a next generation phasor measurement unit.

The present generation phasor measurement unit relies upon venerable existing current and voltage transducer technology that is expensive, bulky, and not well suited to the modern age of digital and computerized control signals. Also, the rising proliferation of installed phasor measurement units will soon …

Effects Of Cloud-Induced Photovoltaic Power Transients On Power System Protection, Joel A. Nelson

Master's Theses

As the world strives towards finding alternative sources of power generation, photovoltaic generation has become an increasingly prevalent alternative energy source on power systems world-wide. This paper studies the effects that incorporating photovoltaic generation has on the existing power systems and their power system protection schemes. Along with the addition of this emerging alternative energy source comes the volatility of PV power generation as cloud-cover produces erratic variations in solar irradiance and PV power production. Such variations in PV power may lead to unfavorable operating conditions and power system failures. The issues addressed in this paper include a study of …

Energy Efficient Led Displays, John Mani Kumar Jupalli

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In this research work, an innovative pixel architecture RGBW, consisting of red (R), green (G), blue (B), and white (W) LEDs, is designed and implemented for color generation. Energy consumption of new pixel architecture consisting of RGBW LEDs is compared to standard architecture consisting of RGB LEDs. Human perception experiments are conducted to study the differences in perception between the two architectures when the same colors are generated using RGBW vs. RGB. Measurements of power for a 32inch x 16inch LED display has proved up to 18% power savings for low saturated colors, up to 8% for high saturated colors …

Designing A Photovoltaic System Hybrid For A Health Clinic In Camilo Ortega, Nicaragua, Jeremy Holliman

Electrical Engineering

As developing nations continue to foster the development of their technologies and economies, industrialized nations have taken an active approach in providing green and sustainable alternatives for them to consider. Non-profit organizations like Engineers Without Borders holds sustainable international development as paramount to all international projects that their student and professional chapters undertake. The Cal Poly Engineers Without Borders student chapter has implemented a variety of projects from slow sand filters to compressed earth blocks, and the Nicaragua team is in the process of designing a health clinic for the Camilo Ortega community. In order to power the health clinic, …

High Order Contingency Selection Using Particle Swarm Optimization And Tabu Search, Ashwini Chegu

Masters Theses

There is a growing interest in investigating the high order contingency events that may result in large blackouts, which have been a great concern for power grid secure operation. The actual number of high order contingency is too huge for operators and planner to apply a brute-force enumerative analysis. This thesis presents a heuristic searching method based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) and tabu search to select severe high order contingencies. The original PSO algorithm gives an intelligent strategy to search the feasible solution space, but tends to find the best solution only. The proposed method combines the original PSO …

Enhanced Cal Poly Super System Simulink Model, Matthew Ogden Mcfarland

Master's Theses

The Cal Poly Sustainable Power for Electrical Resources (SuPER) project is a solar power DC distribution system designed to autonomously manage and supply the energy needs of a single family off-the-grid home. The following thesis describes the improvement and re-design of a MATLAB Simulink model for the Cal Poly SuPER system. This model includes a photovoltaic (PV) array, a lead-acid gel battery with temperature effects, a wind turbine model, a re-designed DC-DC converter, a DC microgrid, and multiple loads. This thesis will also include several control algorithms such as a temperature controlled thermoelectric (T.E.) cooler, intelligent load switching, and an …

Modular Electronic Load, Jason March

Electrical Engineering

This project entails the design and development of a modular electronic load. The cost and simplicity of the design are considered such that it can be reproduced in-house to replace whenever possible resistor box for load testing of any analog circuits but more specifically power electronic circuits.

The design process as well as the hardware development is explained in details in this report. Results from hardware testing are also provided.

Asynchronous Mips Processors: Educational Simulations, Robert L. Webb

Master's Theses

The system clock has been omnipresent in most mainstream chip designs. While simplifying many design problems the clock has caused the problems of clock skew, high power consumption, electromagnetic interference, and worst-case performance. In recent years, as the timing constraints of synchronous designs have been squeezed ever tighter, the efficiencies of asynchronous designs have become more attractive. By removing the clock, these issues can be mitigated. How- ever, asynchronous designs are generally more complex and difficult to debug. In this paper I discuss the advantages of asynchronous processors and the specifics of some asynchronous designs, outline the roadblocks to asynchronous …

Optimization Of P3ht-Pcbm Polymer Solar Cells Through Device Simulation And Manufacturing, James Boom

Computer Engineering

Given a good model and implementation of that model, computer simulation can be used to reduce the time and material costs of research. To this end I worked with other students to manufacture, test and simulate the single layer P3HT-PCBM solar cell. Using the data collected from this project, future work can then be done with the project's simulator to further optimize these types of solar cell devices.

Energy Harvesting From Exercise Machines Cal Poly Recreation Center Implementation, Justin Arakaki, Praveen Lawrence, Audrey Nakamura

Electrical Engineering

As Cal Poly moves towards an environmentally friendly campus, the Energy Harvesting from Exercise Machines (EHFEM) project looks to generate a new source of renewable energy to help power the Cal Poly Recreation Center. The project focuses on retrofitting exercise machines to generate electricity. As of December 2009, Audrey Nakamura, Justin Arakaki, and Praveen Lawrence developed a design which allows the contribution of electricity generated from multiple exercise machines into the power grid.

The project will require an investigation of retrofitted machine designs by Cal Poly students and commercially available products and systems. The information obtained from the product research …

Simulation Of Cal Poly Super System Simulink Model Using Insolation Variation, Jacob Kory

Electrical Engineering

This senior project focuses on simulation of the Cal Poly SuPER system using an insolation model. First, local and historical weather data is examined to determine the range of limits that the model will utilize. Then, the insolation model is constructed to fit into the existing SuPER model. The overall system is tested under a variety of insolation values to determine system performance of motor and static loads. Based on these simulations, several factors of the current model are discovered that limit the power consumption profile under off-peak load conditions. Finally, recommendations on improvements to the model are discussed

An Expandable Micromotor Dc Drive System, Michael Ruelan, Justin Gragg

Electrical Engineering

This report documents the design phases and fabrication of an expandable micro-motor DC drive system. This project illustrates that a flexible range of output power demands can be met from a small DC micro-motor drive unit with the use of power electronics.

In this project miniature DC micromotor drives, each capable of drawing up to 5.5 amps rated current (5 amps due to the utilization of a 5 amp fuse), were designed as card inserts that can be conveniently inserted in parallel in to a cardholder within the console. The “insert” feature allowed our console to successfully draw up to …

The Applications And Limitations Of Printable Batteries, Matthew Delmanowski

Graphic Communication

This study focuses on the potential applications for printed batteries and how they could affect the printing industry. It also analyzes the main problems associated with manufacturing this technology and what needs to be done to overcome these issues. To find the answers to these questions, two methods of research were used. The first was through the elite and specialized interviewing of Dr. Scott Williams of Rochester Institute of Technology and Professor Nancy Cullins from Cal Poly. The second form of research was a common, yet useful, method called secondary research. This entailed looking at recent written research papers about …

Power Losses Associated With Stand-By Chargers, Robert Peralta

Electrical Engineering

Many average households across the United States may not realize how much power is saved by simply removing the plug from the receptacle when not being used. A misconception with stand-by/portable chargers is; if a device is not connected to the charger, but the charger is still connected to the wall, then the charger will not consume power. That statement is false. The following report will demonstrate how much power is lost in an average household. When a reference is made to an average house, I will refer to a 4 bedroom single family home. The house will have an …

Electric Bicycle System, Robert Cong, Rodney Martinez, Mark Casilang, Peter Vong

Electrical Engineering

The Electric Bicycle System is a systems project that incorporates three different ways of charging a lithium-ion battery: the 120VAC wall outlet, regenerative braking, and solar power; which is used to power an electric hub motor running a bicycle. The purpose of the project is to show that it is possible and relatively simple, to build an electric bicycle by oneself. This project can be broken down into five separate categories: the lithium-ion battery, the DC-DC boost converter, the solar panel, the motor, and the motor controller. Each of these will be built upon and improved further by future students, …

Transmission Line Forecast Study, Ryan Garoogian

Electrical Engineering

Load forecasting is the procedure to predict future loading conditions on a power system. Using simulation software such as ETAP you are able to predict abnormal voltage conditions, overloading of certain equipment, as well as determine protective equipment from short circuit studies. This study consisted of a 115kV loop network with multiple loading busses and one infinite bus. There was no separate generation other than the infinite bus. As load increased from forecasting to the future voltage dropped. To restore voltage levels capacitors were added at strategic points in the system to boost the voltage back up. Preparing yourself for …

Magnetic Design Web Application, Michael Brim

Electrical Engineering

The automated Magnetic Design Web Application, available at http://www.magneticdesign.org, generates the full design process of a power transformer, gapped inductor and toroidal inductor given design specifications provided by the user. Calculations are accomplished using Area Product, Ap, or Core Geometry, Kg, procedures. All design processes mirror the format used in Dr. Taufik’s Introduction to Magnetic Design lecture-notes. An administrative backend is provided where instructors can add or modify core design values to expand the array of materials used. The project aims to aid student understanding of magnetic design and course concepts while allowing instructors to broaden the scope of material …

High Voltage Switched-Mode Power Supply For Three-Phase Ac Aircraft Systems, John Brewer Jr., Kamaljit Bagha

Electrical Engineering

The purpose of this senior project was to design and fabricate a proof-of-concept Three-Phase Sinusoidal Switched-Mode Inverter with a power output capability of 10 kW and nominal operating frequency of 400 Hz for AC aircraft system applications. This senior project report includes a thorough discussion and presentation of the inverter system background, requirements, design, construction, and testing processes.

Energy Harvesting From Exercise Machines: Bike Buck-Boost Converter, Monroe Diamond, Brian Vuong

Electrical Engineering

This project is a continuation of previous senior projects’ work on Energy Harvesting from Exercise Machines (EHFEM). EHFEM seeks an alternative DC to DC converter to function within the existing exercise bike system. Implementing this new DC to DC converter aims to avoid previous complications other groups encountered, such as only running at low load currents, exceeding an input threshold voltage to begin operation, and performing at low efficiency. In developing this self‐generating exercise bike, Cal Poly wishes to incorporate an array of energy‐harvesting exercise machines in its Recreation Center expansion scheduled for completion in 2012.

Pulse Density Modulated Soft Switching Cycloconverter, Jesse Timothy Adamson

Master's Theses

Single stage cycloconverters generally incorporate hard switching at turn on and soft switching at turn off. This hard switching at turn on combined with the slow switching speeds of thyristors (the switch of choice for standard cycloconverters) limits their use to lower frequency applications.

This thesis explores the analysis and design of a pulse density modulated (PDM), soft switching cycloconverter. Unlike standard cycloconverters, the controller in this converter does not adjust thyristor firing angles. It lets only complete half cycles of the input waveform through to the output. This allows and requires a much greater frequency step down from the …

Distributed Generation: Issues Concerning A Changing Power Grid Paradigm, Scott G.M. Therien

Master's Theses

Distributed generation is becoming increasingly prevalent on power grids around the world. Conventional designs and grid operations are not always sufficient for handling the implementation of distributed generation units; the new generation may result in undesirable operating conditions, or system failure. This paper investigates the primary issues involved with the implementation of distributed generation and maintaining the integrity of the power grid. The issues addressed include power flow, system protections, voltage regulation, intermittency, harmonics, and islanding. A case study is also presented to illustrate how these issues can be addressed when designing distributed generation installation on an existent distribution system. …

Air Piston Approach To Wave Power Generation, Arun Ramadass

Theses

Scientists have calculated that, by tapping just 0.2% of the energy produced by the world's oceans we can provide for all the worlds current energy needs. It is generally accepted that a combination of traditional energy production methods, (oil, coal, gas, nuclear) mixed with a combination of renewable energy production approaches is the future in providing for an increasingly energy hungry world. Wind, solar and biomass have moved into the public arena only in the last few years.

The proposed patented device (US Patent No.: 7,468,563) Ocean Wave Energy Converter harnesses the energy of ocean waves by continually raising and …

Wave Energy Converter Performance Modeling And Cost Of Electricity Assessment, Dmitri Jarocki

Master's Theses

California is experiencing a rapid increase in interest for the potential of converting ocean waves into clean electricity. Numerous applications have been submitted for the permitting of such renewable energy projects; however the profitability, practicability, and survivability have yet to be proven. Wave energy conversion technology has steadily matured since its naissance in the 1970’s, several wave energy power installations currently exist, and numerous plans for commercial power plant are in the works on the shores of multiple continents. This study aims to assess the economic viability of two proposed commercial wave energy power plant projects on the Central California …

The Effect Of Synthetic Aperture Radar Image Resolution On Target Discrimination, John E. Mcgowan

Theses and Dissertations

This research details the effect of spatial resolution on target discrimination in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images. Multiple SAR image chips containing targets and non-targets are used to test a baseline Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) system with reduced spatial resolution. Spatial resolution is reduced by lowering the pixel count or synthesizing a degraded image by filtering and reducing the pixel count. A two-parameter Constant False Alarm Rate (CFAR) detector is tested, and three feature sets, size, contrast, and texture, are used to train a linear classifier and to estimate probability density functions for the two classes. The results are scored …

Reputation-Based Trust For A Cooperative, Agent-Based Backup Protection Scheme For Power Networks, John F. Borowski

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis research explores integrating a reputation-based trust mechanism with an agent-based backup protection system to improve the performance of traditional backup relay methods that are currently in use in power transmission systems. Integrating agent technology into relay protection schemes has been previously proposed to clear faults more rapidly and to add precision by enabling the use of adaptive protection methods. A distributed, cooperative trust system such as that used in peer-to-peer file sharing networks has the potential to add an additional layer of defense in a protection system designed to operate with greater autonomy. This trust component enables agents …

Investigating The Use Of Frequency Selective Surfaces In High Power Microwave Applications, Steven M. Pugh

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores new territory with the theoretical investigation of the use of Frequency Selective Surfaces (FSS) in High Power Microwave (HPM) applications. Work was performed in a simulation environment where rectangular and ring-shaped FSS elements were evaluated. Incident electric field levels of 0.5MV/m were propagated toward the FSS in a plane wave that was perpendicular to the surface. Results show that the total electric field in the apertures of the FSS can reach more than 6MV/m. This necessitates the use of high strength dielectric materials surrounding the FSS to reduce the risk of electrical breakdown. It is shown that …

High Voltage Resonant Self-Tracking Current-Fed Converter, Scott Logan Mcclusky

Master's Theses

High voltage power supply design presents unique requirements, combining safety, controllability, high performance, and high efficiencies. A new Resonant Self-Tracking Current-Fed Converter (RST-CFC) is investigated as a proof-of-concept of a high voltage power supply particularly for an X-ray system. These systems require fast voltage rise times and low ripple to yield a clear image.

The proposed converter implements high-frequency resonance among discrete components and transformer parasitics to achieve high voltage gain, and the self-tracking nature ensures operation at maximum gain while power switches achieve zero-voltage switching across the full load range. This converter exhibits an inherent indefinite short-circuit capability. Theoretical …