Event date:
Dec 18 2020 3:00 pm

Multi-timescale optimization with energy storage in smart distribution grids

Speaker(s)
Dr. Raheel Zafar
Venue
Zoom/Online
Abstract
Rapid increase in the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources into existing distribution grids has brought several technical challenges. In this talk, the speaker discusses the potential of multi-timescale volt/VAR optimization approach to coordinate slow-acting traditional volt/VAR control equipment with fast-acting smart inverters. This multi-timescale coordinated control scheme employing battery energy storage system can effectively integrate renewable sources in future distribution grids. The volt/VAR optimization is a mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem. It is NP-hard problem due to nonconvex equality constraints and integer variables. The speaker highlights the aims and results of his research work employing tractable convex relaxations such as semidefinite and mixed-integer second-order cone programs to find the global optimal solutions of several concrete problems.

Electrical Engineering Seminar – “Multi-timescale optimization with energy storage in smart distribution grids” by Dr. Raheel Zafar, PhD University of New South Wales, Australia

Friday, December 18th, 2020, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

About the speaker: Dr. Raheel Zafar received his PhD in Electrical Engineering with specialization in Power Systems in 2019 from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. His research focuses mainly on the technical challenges involved in the integration of renewable energy sources into distribution grids. His research has resulted in several publications in reputable journals and conferences including IEEE Transactions, Elsevier, and IEEE PES conferences. He completed his BSc Electrical Engineering in 2009 and MSc Electrical Engineering in 2011 from UET Lahore. He has worked in academia and industry for more than six years. He has worked as a Lecturer at UET Lahore. He has also served as an Assistant Professor at GIK Institute and UMT Lahore. His current research interests include convex relaxations, robust optimization, distribution system operation and control, multi-objective optimization, and smart distribution grids.

The speaker is a faculty candidate in electrical engineering department.