Showing papers by "Robert J. Thomas published in 2000"

Stability-constrained optimal power flow

Abstract: Stability is an important constraint in power system operation. Often trial and error heuristics are used that can be costly and imprecise. A new methodology that eliminates the need for repeated simulation to determine a transiently secure operating point is presented. The theoretical development is straight-forward: dynamic equations are converted to numerically equivalent algebraic equations and then integrated into the standard OPF formulation. Implementation issues and simulation results are discussed in the context of a 162-bus system.

An economic analysis of the self commitment of thermal units

Abstract: Given the load profile of an electricity market and the capabilities of the set of generators supplying power to that market, it is likely that at any given point in time, available supply will exceed demand. If only a subset of generators is required, some method is required to commit and de-commit generators. In the past, system operators have employed a centralized method of unit commitment. Deregulation of the electricity industry throws doubt on the continued suitability of this method due to fairness issues and availability of accurate cost data. This paper examines the performance of decentralized unit commitment, where dispatch of generators is determined by offer curves submitted into a spot market by power producers.

Parallel processing implementation of the unit commitment problem with full AC power flow constraints

Abstract: The authors describe a parallel implementation of the Lagrangian Relaxation Algorithm with variable duplication for the thermal unit commitment problem. The formulation was previously reported by the authors and allows inclusion of the full nonlinear AC network power flow model, which permits addressing voltage limits, as well as more realistic branch flow limits than is possible with a linear DC flow model. Thus, potential VAr production can be used as another criterion for commitment of otherwise expensive generators in strategic locations. The algorithm is highly parallelizable, and the authors have taken advantage of this in a version currently being developed for the Cornell Theory Center's Velocity AC3 NT cluster.

Designing a systems engineering educational program using academic/industry collaboration

Abstract: In concert with a fundamental precept in systems engineering, that system design should be driven by customer requirements, Cornell University is collaborating with industry in the development of a Master of Engineering program in Systems Engineering. This paper describes the underlying philosophy of Cornell's program, the collaborative process through which it has been developed, and the resulting curriculum, with a particular focus on the interaction between Cornell and Lockheed Martin Federal Systems (LMFS).