Hydro-Québec

About: Hydro-Québec is a government organization based out in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Electric power system & Dielectric. The organization has 2596 authors who have published 4433 publications receiving 100878 citations.

Determination of snow water equivalent using RADARSAT SAR data in eastern Canada

Abstract: In the 1998-1999 winter, the operational feasibility of using RADARSAT SAR data to estimate the spatial distribution of snow water equivalent (SWE) in a large hydroelectric complex managed by Hydro-Quebec (La Grande River watershed) has been successfully demonstrated. This watershed is located in the subarctic climatic region in the north-west of the Quebec province. The vegetation consists of moderately dense to open Black Spruce forests, open lands, burned lands and peat bogs. In the last few years, an original approach well adapted for this region has been developed to estimate the SWE from SAR data (ERS-1, RADARSAT). This approach is based on the fact that the snow cover characteristics influence the underlying soil temperature which influences the dielectric properties of the soil and then the recorded backscattering signal. Then, a linear relationship between the backscattering ratios of a winter image and a snow-free (fall) image, and the snowpack thermal resistance (thermal insulation properties) has been established. Consequently, the algorithm infers the SWE from the estimated thermal resistance and the measured mean density of the snowpack. This algorithm has been implemented within a MapInfo application that has been named EQeau. It allows mapping of the spatial distribution of the estimated SWE at the desired level (pixel, square grid, sub-watershed). During the 1998-1999 winter, EQeau has been used successfully in a pre-operational mode using calibrated Wide beam images (W1) from RADARSAT. The algorithm has given mean estimated SWE values similar to the SWE values derived from Hydro-Quebec snow transects (relative difference between 1% and 13%). Also, the SWE increase measured from January to March 1999 is clearly detected on the maps covering almost 77 000 km 2 . The next steps will be the evaluation of the ScanSAR images and the demonstration of the economical advantages of using RADARSAT data in a hydrological forecasting system.

Reliability-constrained Based Optimal Placement and Sizing of Multiple Distributed Generators in Power Distribution Network Using Cat Swarm Optimization

Abstract: This article presents optimal placement and sizing of multiple distributed generators to achieve higher overall system reliability in large-scale primary distribution networks using a novel random search algorithm known as cat swarm optimization. A composite reliability index is used as the objective function in the optimization process. Furthermore, the effect of multiple distributed generator units on power transfer capacity and power loss reduction has been observed. Extensive simulations are carried out based on three practical distribution systems to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Further, qualitative comparisons are made with adaptive weight particle swarm optimization, particle swarm optimization with constriction factor, and binary-coded genetic algorithm to show the efficacy of the proposed method for optimal placement and sizing of distributed generators in power distribution networks.

Electrical conduction of polyethylene below and above its melting point

Abstract: The electrical conduction of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) has been investigated between 20 degrees C and 150 degrees C and up to 1 MV/cm. Special molded specimens and a self-compensating test cell were used; particular care has been taken in the control of experimental conditions. Absorption currents show broad maxima, while resorption currents display polarity reversal. Steady-state currents increase with a power law of the electrical field, and they tend to saturate at high fields and temperatures. Results are discussed in the framework of space-charge-limited conduction and dispersive hopping transport models. >