Lab orientation is a vital part of learning for new students entering the university, as it provides the students with all the necessary and important information about the lab. The current orientation is manual, tedious, suffers from logistical constraints, lacks engagement, and provides no way to assess that outcomes have been achieved. This is also supported by the results of a student survey which revealed students’ dissatisfaction with current process of orientation. This study presents the design and development of a sample augmented reality mobile application, AR-LabOr, for the lab orientation that helps students in a quick and easy adaptation to the lab environment by familiarizing them with the lab equipment, staff, and safety rules in a fun and interactive manner. This application makes use of marker-less augmented reality technology and a blend of multimedia information such as sound, text, images, and videos that are superimposed on real-world contents. An experiment with 56 students showed that they found the novel method of orientation using the application more engaging than the traditional instructor-led method. Students also found the application to be more supportive, motivating, and that it helped them in better understanding the lab equipment.

This work aims to analyze and manage the optimal power consumption of the autonomous power system within the Pamir region of Republic of Tajikistan, based on renewable energy sources. The task is solved through linear programming methods, production rules and mathematical modeling of power consumption modes by generating consumers. It is assumed that power consumers in the considered region have an opportunity to independently cover energy shortage by installing additional generating energy sources. The objective function is to minimize the financial expenses for own power consumption, and to maximize them from both the export and redistribution of power flows. In this study, the optimal ratio of power generation by alternative sources from daily power consumption for winter was established to be hydroelectric power plants (94.8%), wind power plant (3.8%), solar photovoltaic power plant (0.5%) and energy storage (0.8%); while it is not required in summer due to the ability to ensure the balance of energy by hydroelectric power plants. As a result, each generating consumer can independently minimize their power consumption and maximize profit from the energy exchange with other consumers, depending on the selected energy sources, thus becoming a good example of carbon-free energy usage at the micro- and mini-grid level.

The results of testing the algorithms of the adaptive model of a synchronous generator using theoretical and real physical data are presented in this study. The adaptive model of a synchronous machine is an equations system, which describes both the static and transient operation of a generator. Parameters of the adaptive model are found using measurements of a generator’s operational parameters. The single-machine model was created in Matlab/Simulink software to test the theoretical data. This single-machine model consists of a synchronous generator, a step-up transformer, and a transmission line. The test model also includes models of the automatic voltage regulator and steam turbine governor. The real electrodynamic model was used to verify the adaptive model of a synchronous machine. It consisted of four synchronous generators, with values of power capacity of 5 kW and 15 kW. The data logger with a sampling rate of 57.8 kHz was developed and installed to measure the operating parameters of each generator. As a result of testing on both models, the following values were estimated: inertia moment, d-axis and q-axis reactance, and load angle. These values were compared with the reference values. The adaptive model of a synchronous machine can be used in systems of emergency control and assessment of generator state.

The study examines the development and testing of algorithms for disturbance inception time estimation in a power system using instantaneous values of current and voltage with a high sampling rate. The algorithms were tested on both modeled and physical data. The error of signal extremum forecast, the error of signal form forecast, and the signal value at the so-called joint point provided the basis for the suggested algorithms. The method of tuning for each algorithm was described. The time delay and accuracy of the algorithms were evaluated with varying tuning parameters. The algorithms were tested on the two-machine model of a power system in Matlab/Simulink. Signals from emergency event recorders installed on real power facilities were used in testing procedures. The results of this study indicated a possible and promising application of the suggested methods in the emergency control of power systems.