This paper presents the design and implementation of a Time‐Sensitive Networking (TSN) protocol‐enabled synchronized measurement‐based monitoring system for microgrids. The proposed approach synchronizes and prioritizes the communication nodes, allowing it to transfer ultra‐high three‐phase sampled data and phasors. TSN is achieved by Quality of Service (QoS) profile software library. This allows control, monitoring, traffic scheduling, and prioritization. Some buses in a microgrid may have priority over others; and this can be prioritized at the data level too, where a part of the information is more critical than the others. The advantages of utilizing the TSN protocol on a microgrid with the approach proposed are: it is an alternative to GPS technology, three‐phase data can be exchanged at much faster rate and data traffic in the network can be shaped with low packet loss, and low latency, in addition to providing interoperability through Data Distribution Services (DDS). These enhancements improve the communication reliability and enable distributed control, resulting in avoidance of any bottlenecks in the communications network. This proposed approach is implemented and demonstrated in a laboratory‐scale microgrid. The results obtained, verify low latency and high throughput of the entire system while meeting the TSN and QoS requirements.

High-frequency wireless power transfer (WPT) technology provides superior compatibility in the alignment with various WPT standards. However, high-efficiency and compact single-phase power switching systems with ideal snubber circuits are required for maximum power transfer capability. This research aims to develop an inverter using Gallium Nitride (GaN) power transistors, optimized RCD (resistor/capacitor/diode) snubber circuits, and gate drivers, each benefitting WPT technology by reducing the switching and conduction loss in charging electric vehicle batteries. A full-bridge GaN inverter was simulated and instituted as part of the wireless charging circuit design. The RCD circuits were adjusted by transferring maximum power from the power supply to the transmitter inductor. For verification of the simulated output, lab-scale experiments were implemented for two half-bridges controlled by gate drivers with corresponding snubber circuits. After authenticating the output results, the GaN inverter was tested with an input range of 30 V to deduce the success of charging electric vehicle batteries within an efficient time frame. The developed inverter, at 80 kHz frequency, was applied in place of a ready-to-use evaluation board, fully reducing less harmonic distortion and greatly increasing WPT system efficiency (~93%). In turn, the designed GaN inverter boasts considerable energy savings, resulting in a more cost-effective solution for manufacturers.

Lack of lateral resistance is one of the emerging problems in continuously welded rails. Lateral resistance is a type of resistance in which the railway track mobilizes against the applied lateral forces. Thus, curved tracks, especially sharp curves (curves with small radiuses), are the most susceptible segments for the lack of lateral resistance. The reason is, on curved tracks, in addition to the lateral forces applied by the train, longitudinal forces are decomposed into two parts, with one part being tangential (tangent to the curve) and the other part being radial. This radial force causes some defects to the track such as track buckling, transversal shifting of the track, pulling out of fastening shoulders, etc. Therefore, according to the general track instructions, welding of rails is not possible on curved tracks with a radius less than 400 m. With the help of laboratory tests, the authors of this paper previously showed that using two stiffeners under the steel sleeper increased the lateral resistance of the track adequately (by 140%) compared to the track with normal steel sleepers. In this paper, the effect of using two plate stiffeners under the steel sleepers was examined by field investigation on a real track. Two test methods, including the Single Tie (sleeper) Push Test (STPT) and the Multiple Tie (sleeper) Push Test (MTPT), were used to investigate the lateral resistance of the track. The results obtained by the STPT and MTPT methods showed an increase in lateral resistance by 139.6% and 135.5%, respectively. The obtained results are in accordance with the results of the laboratory tests. Moreover, the results showed that using two stiffeners under steel sleepers increased the lateral resistance of the track adequately, thereby enabling rails to be welded on curved tracks.

Purpose This paper aims to develop a comprehensive model of a magnetic sensor array that will be operational for a multitude of electric components in continuous and nonintrusive condition monitoring (CM) or in readiness assessment (RA) applications. Design/methodology/approach A universal nonintrusive model of a flexible antenna array is introduced to monitor and identify failures in electric machine drives. An adjustable sensor is designed to serve as a RA for a vast range of electrical elements in a typical power system by capturing the low-frequency radiated magnetic fields. Findings The optimal placement of the most sensitive radiated fields from several components has been discovered in this case study, enabling the detection of healthy current flow throughout. Thereafter, the short-circuit investigation, representing faulty situations, is implemented and compared with healthy cases. Practical implications This sensing technique can be used for nonintrusive CM of components that are out of reach and cannot have the sensor to be held around it such as components in offshore winds, wind energy generation and power and chemical plants. Originality/value The results are provided for three commonly used machines with a single sensor array with numerous settings. The three dimensional (3 D) finite element analysis is applied in the structuring of the sensor, detection of the optimum location and recognition of faults in the machines. Finally, based on the setup design, 3 D printing is used for the construction of the sensor array. Thus, the sensor array with fault detection avoids major component failures and increases system reliability/resiliency.

In this paper, estimation of optimal capacity and location of installation of wind, solar and fuel cell sources in distribution systems to reduce loss and improve voltage profile, by considering load changes, is carried out with Lightning Search Algorithm (LSA). Studies have been conducted on the standard IEEE 33 bus power system in two scenarios. In the first scenario, study is done with the assumption that the load remains constant throughout the project period and in the second scenario with the load growth. The results of the simulation, indicated that the puissance of load changes on distributed generations (DGs) placement studies. Also, the results confirm the performance of the proposed algorithm in reducing the objective function.