Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

This research involves the innovative use of simulators for the optimal design and fine-tuning of complex power networks. A Simulator is a computer on which a large network can be modeled and studied, without the danger of catastrophic harm. This project proposes to place the simulator under the control of an optimization algorithm for selecting the parameters for the network that result in the best performance. A sequence of several runs is conducted, with the optimization algorithm inspecting the results of each simulation run and adjusting the design parameters using advanced mathematical procedures so that the subsequent runs show improvement. When the sequence of runs is concluded, the system is optimized. With this approach, the performance of today's complex power systems can be significantly improved using an automatic process. The research also extends the theoretical approach to the practical problem of globalized tuning of several controllers which control the various pieces of network equipment. Without such tuning it is possible that different controllers in the network may adversely interfere with each other. The significant outcomes of this research will be tools that permit the design of well-behaved power networks which have a much reduced chance of suffering equipment damage or loss of stability that could result in a system-wide blackout such as the Eastern North American blackout of August 2003. This is important for Canada where electric power is a critical resource. Additionally, Canada is a world leader in Power System Simulator Technology. The research will increase the competitiveness of this unique Canadian industry by equipping it with new advanced techniques and highly trained personnel who will create innovative simulation tools for the benefit of the entire world.