Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Electric power industry is undergoing extraordinary changes and are under pressure to operate more efficiently while confronting a business and operating environment. Desire to integrate new generation technologies such as wind and solar has changed the structure of power systems at transmission and distribution levels. Amount of electric load, its profile and its characteristics are anticipated to change significantly as electrification of transportation intensifies. These changes in power systems' structure including generation and load, and operating practices has necessitated an urgent need for new/improved technologies for power system protection, automation and monitoring so that reliability and efficiency of the power systems can be maintained and enhanced. The existing relays and protection systems are not always suitable for the 'changing' structure of power systems and challenges posed by the 'new' operating philosophy. The objective of the proposed research is to develop innovative techniques, technologies and devices for protection, automation and monitoring of 'modern and emerging' power systems. Information from local as well as from remote buses in the power system will be used to provide fast and effective protection, automation, and monitoring capabilities while addressing issues related to cybersecurity making the protection and automation techniques resilient to cyberattacks. The research will be carried out using state-of-the-art facilities available at Ontario Tech University in three phases. The first phase will involve theoretical development of algorithms and techniques for protection, automation and monitoring. The performance of the developed algorithms and techniques will be tested by using simulated data. Once satisfied with the performance of the algorithms and techniques, the second phase will be their implementation by developing Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) interconnected through communication channels or LANs or WANs. The third phase will be testing of the implemented relays and relaying systems. This will be accomplished by using signals from a Real Time Digital Simulator or data recorded by electric power utilities. This approach will ensure that proposed techniques and prototype devices are ready for their next level development including commercialization. Improved protection, automation and monitoring of power systems will increase the reliability and security of the power systems. The developed techniques and devices will facilitate integration of renewable resources into the existing grid as well as allow smooth transition to transportation electrification. This is all needed to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality for addressing climate change issues. The research is also significant for the high-tech, power equipment manufacturers and relay manufacturing industries while developing highly qualified personnel greatly needed the Canadian economy especially in clean energy.