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This paper discusses AuRA-NMS, an autonomous regional active network management system currently being developed in the UK through a partnership between several UK universities, two distribution network operators (DNO) and ABB. The scope of control to be undertaken by AuRA-NMS includes: automatic restoration, voltage control, power flow management and implementation of network performance optimisation strategies. Part of the scientific aims of the AuRA-NMS programme is the investigation and comparison of the use of different techniques for making the control decisions above. The techniques under consideration range from the use of optimisation techniques, such as OPF, to the use of intelligent systems techniques, such as constraint programming, case-based reasoning and AI planning. In this paper the authors consider the role that intelligent systems techniques could play within active network management and reports on preliminary results gathered from the testing of prototype software running on commercially available IEC 61850 compliant substation computing hardware, connected to a real time power systems simulator. The importance of an appropriate comparative testing methodology, as well as the need for assessing the robustness of different techniques in the presence of communication failures and measurement errors, is also discussed. A key element in the development of AuRA-NMS is the use of multi-agent systems (MAS) technology to provide a flexible and extensible software architecture in which the techniques above can be deployed. As a result, the use (MAS) in conjunction with IEC 61850 and the common information model within AuRA-NMS is described.

The power industry in the UK faces major challenges over the next two decades to renew ageing networks and accommodate new generation, especially renewables. As a consequence, the industry needs to recruit a new generation of well-qualified electrical engineering graduates. This paper describes the IET Power Academy, established in 2004 to attract engineering graduates into employment within the power industry. In 2008, 17 companies and 7 leading UK universities are collaborating in the scheme with over 60 scholarships being offered each year. The scholarship package includes a bursary, a contribution to university fees, paid vacation training and an annual seminar. The scheme can be judged to have been a success to date, though challenges still remain, including persuading greater numbers of school and college leavers to study electrical or electronic engineering at university. As time goes on, while the industry can expect to have largely addressed issues associated with graduate recruitment, mid-career support and retention is likely to emerge as a key concern.

This paper widens the knowledge about the microgeneration transient response under faulted conditions. The paper provides the following significant contributions: Firstly, a range of microgeneration transient models have been developed in PSCAD/EMTDC and tested on a typical distribution network. Two types of technologies are considered: a small diesel engine driving a three-phase synchronous machine connected within commercial premises; and a small microwind turbine interfaced directly within residential dwellings by a single-phase induction generator. Secondly, a valuable insight into the transient behavioral of this range of technologies during and after the clearing of remote faults at a medium voltage (MV) distribution system is provided, and their resilience levels are quantified. Thirdly, for reliable microgeneration operating in parallel with the distribution networks, the paper includes a discussion on some of remedial measures by which the transient stability of a large penetration of microgeneration may be improved. Also in this paper the inclusion of resistive superconducting fault current limiters into medium voltage distribution systems has been proposed as one of the practical solutions that can enhance the transient performance of large numbers of low voltage connected microgeneration. The effectiveness of fault current limiters on the grid-connected microgeneration transient stability enhancement has also been evaluated.

This paper and the presentation will compare Emissions Trading Scheme in the European Union and the recently established Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in the US, looking at their similarities and differences, as well as results that are available so far. In addition, the paper investigates effects that emissions constraints may have on market clearing prices in electricity markets. The analysis is based on a two step procedure in which the emissions generation scheduling problem is solved first, and then its solution is used in the dynamic optimal power flow problem that also accounts for emissions constraints though augmented cost function that includes possible purchases or sales of emissions allowances on the market. This formulation allows for investigating how decisions of generators on how to use their CO2 emission allocations over a period of time may affect market outcome and prices.

The way in which electricity networks operate is going through a period of significant change, with global issues causing an overhaul of the industry in countries across the world. Renewable generation technologies have a growing presence and increasing penetrations of generation are being connected at distribution level. Levels of network automation are on the rise, so too is the consumer demand for electricity. The list of changes that will transform the face of the industry is growing steadily. Evidently, attitudes to change differ from country to country and certain matters will be prioritised, depending on such things as political climate and energy policies. This paper discusses some of the major changes taking place in the energy and electricity sectors of the EU, and more specifically that of the UK, and the knock-on distribution network impacts caused by these changes. Problems and potential solutions are presented for the distribution control rooms facing increasingly active networks. The paper sets out credible future situations in active networks and reviews some of the techniques available for active network management, drawing conclusions about the implications on distribution control rooms.

The proliferation of monitoring equipment on modern electrical power transmission networks is causing an increasing amount of monitoring data to be captured by transmission network operators. Traditional manual data analysis techniques fail to meet the analysis and reporting requirements of the utilities which have chosen to invest in monitoring. The volume of monitoring data, the complexities in analysing multiple related data sources and the preparation of internal reports based on that analysis, render timely manual analysis impractical, if not intractable. In 2006, the authors reported on the first online trials of the protection engineering diagnostics agents (PEDA) system, an automated fault diagnosis system which integrated legacy intelligent systems for the analysis of SCADA and digital fault recorder (DFR) data in order to provide automatic post fault assessment of protection system performance. In this paper the authors revisit the requirements of the TNO where PEDA was trialled. Based on a new formal specification of requirements carried out in 2008, the authors discuss the requirements met by the current version of PEDA and how PEDA could be augmented to meet these new requirements highlighted in this latest analysis of the utilities' requirements.