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The paper describes genetic-algorithm (GA)-based optimization software for reconfiguration of a distribution network in order to minimize financial losses due to voltage sags. The developed methodology starts with a selected number of switches which generate various topologies. Load flows are then performed to evaluate the feasibility of topologies. For each feasible topology, fault analysis is performed to first calculate voltage sags at different buses in the network and then to calculate financial losses incurred by voltage sags at buses with sensitive industrial processes. The result of the optimization is the topology which yields the lowest voltage sag cost to customers. The main features of the GA include double-point crossover and adaptive mutation. The developed software tool is applied to the 295-bus generic distribution system. Index Terms--Distribution networks, genetic algorithms (GAs), optimization, reconfiguration, voltage sag costs.

A strong STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) workforce is central to economic growth and development. To build such a workforce, there is need to promote STEM disciplines. This paper describes the use of a portable electrical engineering outreach toolkit that targets primary and secondary students. The Outreach Toolkit contains 1) a Van De Graff Generator, 2) Tesla Coil, 3) Joule Thief and 4) a Combinatorial Logic Designer Board. Based on the electrical engineering theory and principles as required by the primary and secondary school curricula, live demonstrations are to be conducted using these devices. Complemented with the Toolkit, there are user manuals and a suite of videos that describe various experiments, safety precautions and maintenance requirements. For evaluating the efficacy of the toolkit, a group of 1 primary and 1 secondary schools from the South Eastern Education District of Trinidad and Tobago was based, and their students and teachers were invited to participate a demonstration of the toolkit. Results showed that majority of the secondary school students (90%) indicated that the use of the toolkit could increase their interests in studying science. Some 95% of students indicated that the toolkit made learning science more fun and motivational, and would like to have the device equipped at their school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many students and staff utilize the facilities of The University of The West Indies St. Augustine campus at night. Inadequate lighting can make the school environment unsafe. This paper documents methodologies and the results of an audit conducted on the campus. The audit was performed to determine the adequacy of the campus lighting. Areas audited were identified via a survey distributed to students of the campus. The illuminance levels were measured at these locations and compared to applicable standards of the Illuminating Engineering Society. The results confirmed that none of the areas evaluated satisfied the lighting levels detailed in the standards. Recommendations and implementation plans accompanied by cost-benefit analyses were developed for each area ensuring the standards are satisfied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a gap analysis of smart grid technology for the Caribbean region, and outlines the opportunities for the potential widespread roll-out of this technology, the challenges posed and the exercises employed to assist legacy power systems transition to the smart grid. By exploring the evolution of the smart grid and smart grid statistics, this paper applies smart grid technology to regional and local contexts. The available technologies involved are also discussed, as well as economic and business strategies for the smart grid in a Caribbean context. For the region, the most important factor is the adoption of renewable energy sources and a distributed generation paradigm that is characteristic of the smart grid, as well as the widespread use of relevant communications and information technologies. Other recommendations include rigorous planning with cost versus benefits analyses being performed with respect to the applicable technologies and a strategic business plan. The paper concludes by describing the transition to the smart grid using micro-grids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper documents the development and testing of a Transmission Line Parameter Calculator (TLPC), which computes the impedance parameters for short and medium transmission lines. LPARA, an existing software at The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC), has been taken as the standard for comparison, since it has been tested and proved consistent with Power World Software, as well as it has been satisfactorily employed for decades at T&TEC. Comparative testing of the newly developed TLPC with LPARA revealed a maximum percentage difference of 0.05%, 0.02% and 0.80% in Series Resistance, Series Reactance and Shunt Admittance Matrices, respectively. The package, when compared to its FORTRAN based predecessor, LPARA, has a user friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI) with an expandable database of support structures and conductors. The TLPC has interactive program help, error checking, and validation of all user inputs. It is tailored to T&TEC, but yet flexible enough for use by other similar electric utilities. The finished product has demonstrated a vast improvement in the overall speed of parameter calculations, the reduced susceptibility to input errors and it has addressed recent compatibility issues which LPARA experiences as T&TEC upgrades and transitions to 64-bit Operating Systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electricity transmission along overhead power lines has traditionally been limited by the transmission lines' thermal rating, defined in terms of a fixed, static rating. Load growth and the rapid increase in distributed generation have forced network operators to challenge these static ratings as overly conservative and explore alternative methods of maximising transmission line capacity. This paper describes the development of an overhead dynamic line rating software. The developed software is then applied to the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) transmission network. Ampacity calculations are performed using the IEEE 738 standard and implemented in MATLAB with an accompanying GUI. Results indicate that the line usage efficiency of one circuit examined in T&TEC's transmission network can be increased, suggesting technical and financial benefits to further this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Partial discharge (PD) monitoring is a key method of tracking fault progression and degradation of insulation systems. Recent research discovered that the harmonic regime experienced by the plant also affects the PD pattern, questioning the conclusions about equipment health drawn from PD data. This paper presents the design and creation of an online system for harmonic circumstance monitoring of distribution cables, using only PD data. Based on machine learning techniques, the system can assess the prevalence of the 5th and 7th harmonic orders over the monitoring period. This information is key for asset managers to draw correct conclusions about the remaining life of polymeric cable insulation, and prevent overestimation of the degradation trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a multifactor framework for those involved in asset management and network performance to study the condition of an insulation system. This framework comprises of five-vertically integrated layers including asset management decision-making, the state of the material or equipment, the working environment, the aging mechanisms and quantities giving an estimation of the material state. The links between physics and chemistry of insulation degradation and asset management are probable to enhance asset management strategies and expand the scope of dielectric research. It also emphasizes that asset managers and those researching with diagnostic tools to appraise equipment require full cooperation among them.

Power generation companies have to meet consumer demand and reliability criteria. The maintenance of generators needs to be performed regularly to ensure a reliable supply of electricity. An increase in repair frequency will result in greater maintenance cost together with an expected decrease in capital loss due to generator failure. An optimal maintenance schedule is therefore needed to find the best suited trade-off and lower the overall operation cost. Maintenance scheduling is a combinatorial optimisation problem for which an exhaustive search is typically infeasible due to the large size of the solution space. Metaheuristic optimisation techniques are therefore used to approximate global optimum schedules in finite time. This paper compares the uses of the local search methods (hill climbing, tabu search, simulated annealing) against genetic and memetic algorithms in the solution of the generator maintenance scheduling problem. The solution methods improve the previously implemented solution of generator scheduling for the Power Generation Company of Trinidad and Tobago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]