Electric Power Engineering Research Articles

Oxide Electronics and Vanadium Dioxide Perspective: A Review

Metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFET) have been for a long time the key elements of modern electronics industry. For the purpose of a permanent integration enhancement, the size of MOSFET has been decreasing exponentially for over decades in compliance with Moore's Law, but nowadays, owing to the intrinsic restrictions, the further scaling of MOSFET devices either encounters fundamental limits or demands for more and more sophisticated and expensive engineering solutions. Alternative approaches and device concepts are currently designed both in order to sustain an increase of the integration degree, and to improve the functionality and performance of electronic devices. Oxide electronics is one of such promising approaches which could enable and accelerate the development of information and computing technology. The behavior of delectrons in transition metal oxides is responsible for the unique properties of these materials, causing strong electronelectron correlations, which play an important role in the mechanism of metal-insulator transition. The Mott transition in vanadium dioxide is specifically the phenomenon that researchers consider as a corner stone of oxide electronics, particularly, in its special direction known as a Motttransition field-effect transistor (MTFET). This review focuses on current research, latest results, urgent problems and nearterm outlook of oxide electronics with special emphasis on the state of the art and recent progress in the field of VO2-based MTFETs. Index Terms — Oxide electronics, Mott transition FET, metal-insulator transition, transition metal oxides, vanadium dioxide. 1 Manuscript received November 25, 2013; accepted December 10, 2013. Date of online publication: December 15, 2013. This work was supported by the Strategic Development Program of Petrozavodsk State University (2012 – 2016), Ministry of Education and Science of Russian Federation “Scientific and Educational Community of Innovation Russia (2009-2013)” Program through contracts no. 14.740.11.0895, no. 14.740.11.0137, no. 14.740.11.1157, no. 16.740.11. 0562, and no. 14.B37.21.0755, as well as “Development of Scientific Potential of High School” Program, contracts no. 2.3282.2011 and no. 2.2774.2011. A. L. Pergament is with the Department of Information Measuring Systems and Physical Electronics, Faculty of Physical Engineering of Petrozavodsk State University, 185910 Petrozavodsk, Russia (e-mail: aperg@psu.karelia.ru). G. B. Stefanovich is with the Department of Information Measuring Systems and Physical Electronics, Faculty of Physical Engineering of Petrozavodsk State University, 185910 Petrozavodsk, Russia (e-mail: gstef@yandex.ru). A. A. Velichko is with the Department of Electronics and Electrical Power Engineering, Faculty of Physical Engineering of Petrozavodsk State University, 185910 Petrozavodsk, Russia (e-mail: velichko@ psu.karelia.ru).

The influence of ultrasound signal parameters on sonoluminescence light intensity

Abstract Topics of this article concern the study of the fundamental nature of the sonoluminescence phenomenon occurring in liquids. At the Institute of Electrical Power Engineering at Opole University of Technology the interest in that phenomenon known as secondary phenomenon of cavitation caused by ultrasound became the genesis of a research project concerning acoustic cavitation in mineral insulation oils in which a number of additional experiments performed in the laboratory aimed to determine the influence of a number of acoustic parameters on the process of the studied phenomenona. The main purpose of scientific research subject undertaken was to determine the relationship between the generation of partial discharges in high-voltage power transformer insulation systems, the issue of gas bubbles in transformer oils and the generated acoustic emission signals. It should be noted that currently in the standard approach, the phenomenon of generation of acoustic waves accompanying the occurrence of partial discharges is generally treated as a secondary phenomenon, but it can also be a source of many other related phenomena. Based on our review of the literature data on those referred subjects taken, it must be noted, that this problem has not been clearly resolved, and the description of the relationship between these phenomena is still an open question. This study doesn’t prove all in line with the objective of the study, but can be an inspiration for new research project in the future in this topic. Solution of this problem could be a step forward in the diagnostics of insulation systems for electrical power devices based on non-invasive acoustic emission method.

Introduction to the Special Section on Advances in Diagnosis for Electrical Machines, Power Electronics, and Drives—Part II

Even if modern diagnostic techniques in power electrical engineering are considered as mature, there are still innovations to be published. Therefore, among the 188 papers submitted to this Special Section, 28 have been selected to be published in two parts. This Introduction is related to the first 14 selected papers, which have been divided into three topics dealing with: electrical machines failures detection with bearings (four papers), backlash phenomena (one paper), shaft trajectories (one paper), and winding short circuits (one paper); adjustable-speed drives with permanent-magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) winding short circuits (one paper), drive sensors (one paper), prognosis (one paper), inverter open-circuit detection (one paper), and multiphase induction motors (one paper); power systems (one paper) and transformers (one paper) particular fault detection.

Research on Project Risk Management of Power Engineering Based on Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Method

The electric power engineering project has many characteristics like large scale, long construction period, complex technology, many units involved and so on. In order to avoid risk and improve the risk management efficiency of electric power engineering project, this article established a risk evaluation index system from the perspective of environmental risk, economic risk, technical risk, management risk, and market risk. According to the characteristics of the risk evaluation indicators, it built a multi-level fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model and took a power construction projects as an example to analyze the application of the model.

Electric Power Transformer Engineering, Third Edition [Book Reviews

In his preface to this third edition, James Harlow, the editor, reflects on the way that this most extensive work, covering all aspects of transformers, has evolved from the single chapter he prepared for the Electric Power Engineering Handbook produced by Leo Grigsby in 2001. Nearly a dozen years have gone into its evolution from that single chapter, presumably produced by his own hand, to create a book of 25 chapters assembled from the contributions of no fewer than 47 acknowledged experts in their respective fields. The editor has done well. Not only does this book provide so many of the answers required from an extensive reference work, but these have been assembled in a very logical and readable manner. The book can be of value to a student with a general power engineering background who has a wish to pursue a transformer-related research topic, a project manager responsible for the procurement and building of a new substation, or a plant manager with day-to-day responsibility for the operation of the substation.

Introduction to the special section on advances in diagnosis for electrical machines, power electronics, and drives - Part I

Even if modern diagnostic techniques in power electrical engineering are considered as mature, there are still innovations to be published. Therefore, among the 188 papers submitted to this Special Section, 28 have been selected to be published in two parts. This Introduction is related to the first 14 selected papers, which have been divided into three topics dealing with: electrical machines failures detection with bearings (four papers), backlash phenomena (one paper), shaft trajectories (one paper), and winding short circuits (one paper); adjustable-speed drives with permanent-magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) winding short circuits (one paper), drive sensors (one paper), prognosis (one paper), inverter open-circuit detection (one paper), and multiphase induction motors (one paper); power systems (one paper) and transformers (one paper) particular fault detection.

Research of Customer Service Monitoring and Command System in Electric Power Engineering

According to the actual situation of electricity supply services,and problem of service work and analyze the causes. The article proposed the establishment of a monitoring command system platform; it has Marketing, supply and distribution, newspaper assembly business, video surveillance of the operating room, 95598 call center systems, interactive information system services, GIS system services for the integration of monitoring services. Construction of this system will greatly enhance the efficiency of customer service, to enhance the overall level of service for electric power enterprises have a reference.

The Reviews of Power System Voltage Stability

Power system voltage stability is one of research hotpots in the field of electric power engineering. Firstly, the application of bifurcation theory in power system analysis is introduced. Secondly, static index which is used frequently in power system analysis is given and the characteristics of every index are clarified in detail. Last, it introduces the analytical methods of dynamic voltage and makes prospect about the voltage stability analysis.

Principles of Power Engineering Analysis [Book Reviews

The text provides valuable information that should be used for a three-credit graduate course in power engineering, while also providing a succinct review of undergraduate background information in extensive appendices. Detailed transmission line characteristics and transformer parameters are comprehensively derived and analyzed under both balanced and unbalanced conditions. The appendices provide a review of basics, such as electric and magnetic fields and matrix algebra, but also include material that may be new to graduate students, such as Carson's earth-return correction factors. It presents graduate-level material on both transmission lines and transformer characteristics and a detailed treatment of symmetrical components. The book fills the need for a text with a physical approach to electric power engineering and is timely given the growth of electric transmission expansion and the crying need for personnel who understand both basics and some advanced concepts.

ANALYZER OF QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF THE ELECTRIC POWER

One of the activities of the research center for “Energy Saving Technologies and Smart Metering in Electrical Power Engineering" is research work on the use of electronic devices and systems of intelligent power distribution, produced by Analog Devices and equipped with the accurate energy consumption measurement feature. The article focuses on the development of the analyzer of quantity and quality of electric energy. The main part of the analyzer is a metering IC by Analog Devices ADE7878, designed for use in commercial and industrial smart electricity meters. Such counters measure the amount of consumed or produced electric energy with high accuracy and have the means of remote meter reading.

Design and Application of Risk Early-Warning System of Electric Power Engineering Projects - A Case Study of Combined Heat and Power Project in Western China

Based on the theories of fuzzy set and fuzzy conversion, the method of fuzzy comprehensive appraisal is a decision-making process which combines qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis and can be used to forecast risk of electric power engineering projects. Using the method of AHP to establish risk early-warning indicators system and method of fuzzy comprehensive appraisal to establish risk early-warning model, the paper constitutes risk early-warning system of electric power engineering projects. A case from western China is applied to prove the validity of the risk early-warning system.

Using Social Cognitive Career Theory to Predict the Academic Interests and Goals of Chinese Middle Vocational-Technical School Students

Students' academic self-efficacy, interests, goals, and perceptions of social supports and barriers critically influence their career development and career management. In this study, we used the social cognitive career theory (SCCT) to predict the academic interests and goals of Chinese Middle Vocational-Technical School Students. Five hundred and Seventy-eight (578) Chinese middle vocational-technical school students majoring in electric power engineering were investigated. Participants performed measures of self-efficacy, outcome expectation, academic interests, academic goals, and social supports and barriers relative to the achievement of their majors. The data offered adequate fit to the basic SSCT model across gender and homeplace. However, self-efficacy and outcome expectation did not directly predict academic goals. The implication of findings was discussed.

Parallel computation of determinants of matrices with multivariate polynomial entries

In this paper we present an extension to the work of Bjorck et al. for computing the determinants of matrices with univariate or bivariate polynomials as entries to multivariate case. The algorithm supports parallel computation and has been implemented on a multi-core cluster computer system. We show how to use our approach to calculate two unsolved problems, which arise from computational geometry optimization and electric power engineering, and analyze the time complexity as well as bits complexity.

Application of Project-Based Learning (PBL) to the Teaching of Electrical Power Systems Engineering

Project-based learning (PBL), a learning environment in which projects drive learning, has been successfully used in various courses in the educational programs of different disciplines. However, concerns have been raised as to the breadth of the content covered and, in particular, whether PBL can be applied to specialized subjects without compromising the coverage of the required technical content. This paper discusses the advantages and drawbacks of using the PBL methodology in teaching specialized subjects in electrical power engineering, based on the authors' reflections and student feedback. The design and delivery of a PBL-based course in power system modeling and analysis is used as an example. It is asserted that proper usage of PBL makes it possible to deliver both technical content and generic professional skills in a specialized course.

Electric Power and Energy Engineering: The First Century

Electric power and energy engineering has as a basic tenet the relief of humankind of its burden, and the transmission and processing of information. In this paper, the salient advances of the first century of the electrification of the World is reviewed with special emphasis on the contemporary design and operation of electric power and energy systems. The advancements of power engineering are reviewed from a 2012 perspective, and issues of sustainability and the utilization of renewable resources are discussed.

Prolog to the Section on Electric Power and Energy Engineering

Prolog to the Section on Electric Power and Energy Engineering

Toward secure targeted broadcast in smart grid

Significant research efforts have recently been directed toward materializing smart grid for the purpose of transforming the aging power grid into an efficient and intelligent electric power distribution system. Conceptually, smart grid can be regarded as a fusion of different advanced technologies (i.e., electrical power engineering meets sensing, control, digital communication, and network information technologies). However, when these advanced technologies converge at smart grid, we will face many unforeseen challenges, particularly security challenges in smart grid communications. In this article, toward secure targeted broadcast in smart grid, we investigate the applicability of Attribute Based Encryption (ABE) for smart grid communication scenarios. In particular, we focus on the application of Key Policy ABE (KPABE), where a smart grid control center can use KP-ABE to broadcast a single encrypted message to a specific group of users, and each user in the targeted group can individually use the defined key policy to decrypt the message. With this kind of KP-ABE targeted broadcast, it is possible to eliminate the need for issuing multiple unicast messages. As a result, both communication and computation efficiency can be ensured.

Characterization of epoxy microcomposite and nanocomposite materials for power engineering applications

This article presents the results from round-robin tests performed on epoxy composite materials. These results show the potential of these materials for use as electrical insulation in some specific applications. A small section of the article addresses the health and safety issues related to the use of nanoparticles in the electrical power engineering industry. We define epoxy nanocomposites as epoxy-based materials containing exclusively nanosized filler particles. Epoxy microcomposites are defined as epoxy materials containing exclusively microsized filler particles, and epoxy micro+nano composites are materials containing both microsized and nanosized particles.

Attracting Graduates to Power Engineering in the U.K.: Successful University and Industry Collaboration

The power industry in many parts of the industrialized world faces major challenges over the next two decades to renew ageing networks, accommodate new generation, especially renewables, and make grid operation “smarter”. This requires increasing numbers of professionals, but in many places, the industry faces great losses in personnel and experience as senior engineers retire. As a consequence, the industry needs to recruit a new generation of well-qualified electrical engineering graduates. This paper describes one particular initiative to attract school leavers into engineering and electric power engineering in particular: the U.K.'s “Power Academy”. The main features of the scheme and its success to date are described along with the new challenges and various issues that remain to be addressed. These include the need for “engineering leadership” and career progression for technical specialists. It is argued that companies' continued investment in schemes like the Power Academy is essential to meet the challenges faced by the power industry and to ensure a healthy future supply of professional engineers.

Comparing Policy Gradient and Value Function Based Reinforcement Learning Methods in Simulated Electrical Power Trade

In electrical power engineering, reinforcement learning algorithms can be used to model the strategies of electricity market participants. However, traditional value function based reinforcement learning algorithms suffer from convergence issues when used with value function approximators. Function approximation is required in this domain to capture the characteristics of the complex and continuous multivariate problem space. The contribution of this paper is the comparison of policy gradient reinforcement learning methods, using artificial neural networks for policy function approximation, with traditional value function based methods in simulations of electricity trade. The methods are compared using an AC optimal power flow based power exchange auction market model and a reference electric power system model.