Passive Network Synthesis Approach for Modeling Multiport Frequency Dependent Network Equivalents

In this research, a new approach to model Frequency Dependant Network Equivalent (FDNE) will be introduced and implemented in PSCAD/EMTDC. FDNEs are used to accelerate and reduce the size of unnecessary part of the network under simulation. The new approach utilizes Brune’s network synthesis and Tellegen’s extension to create a multiport network whose impedance is the same as the given FDNE. Unlike other fitting methods, the proposed method inherently guarantees the passivity of the fitted network, thus no need for further passivity enforcement.

Smelting process exhaust gas cooling: energy and economic analysis

Aluminum smelting is a highly energy consuming industrial process. The process generates a large amount of the heat that leaves through the exhaust gas. The exhaust gas must be scrubbed of its contaminants before release to the atmosphere at the gas treatment unit exit. The scrubbing process is more effective if this gas is cooled before entering the gas treatment unit. The main objective of this project is to find a technical and economical method to cool the smelting process exhaust gas upstream of the gas treatment unit.

Development of Thermal Models Towards Reliability Assessment in Energy Delivery Network at FortisBC

The main mission of FortisBC is delivering energy (in the form of electricity and natural gas) safely and reliably at the lowest reasonable cost with lowest emissions. Any maloperations or unexpected interruptions in equipment of the energy supply network may lead to unreliable and unsafe conditions of power delivering to the consumers. For this purpose, continuous monitoring of the condition of the significant elements of the network is a vital need. This project aims to focus on two main components of the energy network, i.e., Power Transformers, and Transmission Pipelines.

An investigation into the operation and operational benefits of a new converter technology for supercapacitor charging

Batteries are main storage systems in many applications such as electric vehicles, shipping, transportation, and utility backup power. With the recent breakthrough in the supercapacitor technology, it is predicted that supercapacitors will challenge the batteries in many of these applications since their power delivery is much faster than the batteries. The current chargers are designed based on the requirements of the batteries.

Control of Modular Multilevel Converters for Specialized Functions

Modern power systems wherein renewable energy sources are prevalent will exhibit larger frequency deviations than conventional power systems due to the diluted share of conventional generation based upon large electric machines with massive spinning rotors. To combat this, power-electronic converters that are used to interface renewable sources need to provide ancillary, such as frequency support and inertia emulation. This research will investigate this functionality for a class of power-electronic converters, namely modular multilevel converters.

Characterization of Stabilized Lithium Ion Battery Materials

Micro-scale particles composed of high-voltage spinel LNMO (LiNi1-xMnxO4) will be characterized using electron microscopy techniques. These particles are stabilized through the inclusion of coating materials. The methods to prepare these particle coatings consisted of either an in-situ or post-synthetic method. The interface between the particle and the coating will be characterized at the atomic-scale by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM).

A Finite Element Framework for Non-linear Material Constitutive Modelling of Superalloy Additive Manufactured Parts

Due to its versatility, time and cost saving, additive manufacturing (AM) technology, and more specifically selective laser melting process (SLM), is replacing conventional manufacturing processes, particularly for producing complex geometry components. In this technology, the near net shape parts are incrementally built by fusing layers of powder material using an intensive heating source/ Structural stress analysis and lifing assessment via finite element (FE) analysis are well-accepted modern engineering practices within product development procedures.

Numerical Simulation of Turbulence and In-Situ Tidal Turbine Performance in Minas Passage

Turbulence is a significant issue at every site being considered for instream tidal energy development. This turbulent flow creates fluctuating forces on tidal turbine blades and support structures, reducing turbine performance and shortening turbine lifespan. Thus, improving and validating numerical models of turbulence and turbine operation in turbulent flow is necessary to better predict device operation and, thus, develop efficient and financially viable tidal energy projects.

Smart Meter IOT: Security vs Privacy in a Heterogeneous IOT environment

Internet of Things (IOT) enabled communication devices have become a ubiquitous commodity in the smart metering solutions world for the purposes of “getting the data off the meter". Many of these devices have little to no measurable security, aside from the infamous “security through obscurity” which we can no longer rely on, as the average individual has access to off-the-shelf “discovery” tools to infiltrate any such device within physical distance.

Development of improved power quality detection methods suitable for modern applications

Discontinuities of service, variations in voltage magnitude, and distortions in AC voltage waveforms constitute the different aspects poor power quality. A poor quality of power supply can cause malfunction of sensitive equipment and interrupt industrial processes, resulting in significant economic losses. Utilities and consumers are taking actions to maintain the power quality set by the standards. Monitoring of power quality at all levels in the power system is necessary to ensure adherence to standards, but specialized power quality monitoring equipment are expensive.

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