POWER SYSTEMS
A model has been proposed to estimate the life of stator insulation of a high voltage generator under the synergic action of electrical, thermal and mechanical stresses. Also, a diagnostic test procedure has been developed to assess the state of degradation of insulation as well as to estimate the remaining life.
Condition monitoring of power apparatus is important to avoid unscheduled outages of power plant equipment. Neural networks have been employed to recognize and classify diagnostic data patterns obtained on generator stator insulation that will help the power plant operator. Neural networks, if implemented in hardware, will accelerate the pattern recognition process in real time. So far, functioning of a single artificial neuron has been realized in hardware. Work is currently being carried out to realize a network of neurons in hardware.
Work is currently being carried out to bring information technology for power utilities management to make them more efficient. A VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) design laboratory and fabrication facility is planned.