A power quality monitoring system: a case study in DSP-basedsolutions for power electronics

Programmable digital signal processors (DSPs) are emerging as the processors of choice in monitoring and control of high-end power electronics systems. This paper adopts a case study approach to illustrate a development methodology for DSP-based solutions. The unique features of DSP chips that make them ideal for real-time applications are highlighted. Power electronics systems where DSPs have been used are indicated. A case study in which a DSP-based solution was developed for a power quality monitoring application is presented. Through the case study, the issues involved in adopting a system architecture, selecting a DSP, and developing software for an application are discussed. The methodology described in this paper presents broad guidelines which can be intelligently applied to develop DSP-based solutions to meet specific requirements     

DSP-based solutions for AC motor drives

The advent of programmable digital signal processors (DSPs) is creating a revolution in monitoring, control, and testing of motor drives. Their special architecture and high performance make it possible to implement a wide variety of nontrivial control and measurement algorithms at high sampling rates and reasonable cost. AC motor drives are typically a complex combination of linear, nonlinear, and switching elements. High-frequency converters add another dimension of complexity because of their fast dynamics. Real time systems, therefore, demand the use of high speed data-acquisition and control. DSPs meet the processing requirements imposed by such systems. In this letter, we study the features that make DSPs highly effective computational engines. We explore some applications requiring the high performance of DSPs. The issues involved in adopting a system architecture, selecting a DSP, and developing software for an application are discussed. The methodology described presents broad guidelines that can be intelligently applied to develop DSP-based solutions to meet specific requirements.     

A real-time system for power quality testing

This paper presents a real-time system that can be used for quick and reliable power quality testing. The system is based on a dual-processor architecture with a digital signal processor (DSP) interfaced to a personal computer (PC). Real-time tasks are delegated to run on the optimized hardware of the DSP board, while system-level requirements are handled by the PC. The real-time processing (RTP) kernel implemented on the DSP supports multitasking to handle tasks associated with data collection, data analysis, and interprocessor communication. The results of real-time analysis are presented in the PC through a menu-driven, graphical interface. Tests show that the system complies with IEC standards for power quality monitoring. This system offers many significant advantages. Real-time analysis of acquired data significantly reduces storage requirements. Data analysis algorithms can be modified to suit specific testing needs. Test results available in the PC can be exported to other computer analysis tools. The system is portable and holds promise as a powerful, low-cost tool for practising power quality engineers     

The potential role of hydrogen energy in India and Western Europe

We used the TIMER energy model to explore the potential role of hydrogen in the energy systems of India and Western Europe, looking at the impacts on its main incentives: climate policy, energy security and urban air pollution. We found that hydrogen will not play a major role in both regions without considerable cost reductions, mainly in fuel cell technology. Also, energy taxation policy is essential for hydrogen penetration and India's lower energy taxes limit India's capacity to favour hydrogen. Once available to the (European) energy system, hydrogen can decrease the cost of CO₂ emission reduction by increasing the potential for carbon capture technology. However, climate policy alone is insufficient to speed up the transition. Hydrogen diversifies energy imports; especially for Europe it decreases oil imports, while increasing imports of coal and natural gas. For India, it provides an opportunity to decrease oil imports and use indigenous coal resources in the transport sector. Hydrogen improves urban air quality by shifting emissions from urban transport to hydrogen production facilities. However, for total net emissions we found a sensitive trade-off between lower emissions at end-use (in transport) and higher emissions from hydrogen production, depending on local policy for hydrogen production facilities.