This research investigates the prediction of failure and remaining useful life (RUL) of gearboxes for modern multi‐megawatt wind turbines. Failure and RUL are predicted through the use of machine learning techniques and large amounts of labelled wind turbine supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and vibration data. The novelty of this work stems from unprecedented access to one of the world's largest wind turbine operational and reliability databases, containing thousands of turbine gearbox failure examples and complete SCADA and vibration data in the build up to those failures. Through access to that data, this paper is unique in having enough failure examples and data to draw the conclusions detailed in the remainder of this abstract. This paper shows that artificial neural networks provide the most accurate failure and RUL prediction out of three machine learning techniques trialled. This work also demonstrates that SCADA data can be used to predict failure up to a month before it occurs, and high frequency vibration data can be used to extend that accurate prediction capability to 5 to 6 months before failure. This paper demonstrates that two class neural networks can correctly predict gearbox failures between 72.5% and 75% of the time depending on the failure mode when trained with SCADA data and 100% of the time when trained with vibration data. Data trends in the build up to failure and weighting of the SCADA data inputs are also provided. Lastly, this work shows how multi‐class neural networks demonstrate more potential in predicting gearbox failure when trained with vibration data as opposed to training with SCADA data.

Alternating current (AC) microgrids are expected to operate as active components within smart distribution grids in the near future. The high penetration of intermittent renewable energy sources and the rapid electrification of the thermal and transportation sectors pose serious challenges that must be addressed by modern distribution system operators. Hence, new solutions should be developed to overcome these issues. Microgrids can be considered as a great candidate for the provision of ancillary services since they are more flexible to coordinate their distributed generation sources and their loads. This paper proposes a method for compensating microgrid power factor and loads asymmetries by utilizing advanced functionalities enabled by grid tied inverters of photovoltaics and energy storage systems. Further, a central controller has been developed for adaptively regulating the provision of both reactive power and phase balancing services according to the measured loading conditions at the microgrid’s point of common coupling. An experimental validation with a laboratory scale inverter and a real time hardware in the loop investigation demonstrates that the provision of such ancillary services by the microgrid can significantly improve the operation of distribution grids in terms of power quality, energy losses and utilization of available capacity.

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Low-voltage distribution grids face several challenges due to the high penetration of renewable energy sources, the increasing demand (electrification of thermal and transportation sector), and the limited observability (absence of smart metering infrastructure). These challenges impose problems regarding the integrity, stability, power quality and efficiency of distribution grids. Therefore, intelligent solutions are required in order to overcome these problems. This paper proposes a centralized control scheme for phase balancing of low-voltage distribution grids at the substation level. The proposed solution utilizes the advanced capabilities of the grid tied inverters of photovoltaics and storage systems to increase the utilization of distribution lines and to compensate the asymmetric loading conditions of the substation. The solution is based on only one smart meter installed at the distribution substation and utilizes available information and communication technology infrastructure to integrate the solution. The solution achieves significant benefits for the distribution grids, especially regarding their power quality and the effective utilization of their capacity.

A Renewable Energy Source (RES), enhanced with Fault Ride Through (FRT) capability, can provide proper voltage and frequency support to the power grid under several disturbances. This paper investigates how a realistic dynamic power system with high penetration of RES reacts under different operating conditions. More specifically, the power system operation when RES operates according to the current grid regulations of the Cyprus TSO is demonstrated. For the purposes of this investigation, a RES is interconnected with the IEEE 9-bus test system, reinforced with an appropriate directional over-current protection scheme, and dynamic electromagnetic transient simulation results are provided. Keywords-dynamic power system; fault ride through; power system protection and operation; renewable energy sources.I.