Intelligent analytics techniques for improving power quality of modern distribution systems

• Grant number: 13/02008-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: June 15, 2013
• End date: June 14, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Power Systems
• Principal Investigator: Walmir de Freitas Filho
• Grantee: Diogo Salles Correa
• Supervisor: Bala Venkatesh
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de Computação (FEEC). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Ryerson University, Canada
• Associated to the scholarship: 12/07300-7 - POWER QUALITY DATA ANALYTICS: INFORMATION EXTRACTION FROM POWER QUALITY DISTURBANCES, BP.PD

Abstract

The research group led by Dr. Bala Venkatesh at Ryerson University has been studying efficient intelligent analytics tools that are capable to extract and model the main characteristics and find the best solutions for improving the power quality of modern distribution system. The input for these intelligent systems can either be field measured data (e.g., substation, transformers) or simulation results obtained from repetitive solutions of power system analysis tools (power flow). In this BEPE project, the candidate will, under Dr. Venkatesh supervision, investigate the application of intelligent techniques, data mining, and stochastic and optimization tools in important areas of power quality of modern distribution systems. For example, one of the topics to be researched is nontechnical losses. Power utilities lose large amounts of money each year due to nontechnical losses and one of the most effective methods to solve this issue is by using intelligent data mining techniques (e.g., Support Vector Machines) that are capable to identify "atypical" patterns in power consumption. Another research to be conducted is to develop an alternative formulation to solve the Volt/Var control problem, in which the voltage and power records are directly used as input to the proposed scheme in order to find the combination of capacitor and voltage regulators settings that minimize power losses and voltage deviation of the distribution system under study. Additionally, another important objective of this project is to enable the student to visit the research group of Dr. Venkatesh and consolidate the existing partnership between Brazilian and Canadian universities and institutions. Finally, it should be highlighted that the candidate will be involved with a unique research and technology demonstration center devoted to the discovery of innovative smart grid solutions, which is the recently launched Center for Urban Energy (CUE) at Ryerson University where Dr. Venkatesh is the Academic Founding Director. (AU)