This paper presents a case-based Windows graphic package developed by the authors for the education and training of power system restoration. In order to overcome the inherent complexities associated with a restoration switching sequence, a case-based reasoning (CBR) algorithm has been developed. An object-oriented Windows-based graphical user interface (GUI) has been developed to communicate with the expert system and to visualize outputs. Simulation results on a part of the Saskatchewan Power (SaskPower) network have been presented in this paper. The restoration practices of SaskPower network have been collected and stored in a knowledge database called case library. The power flow and the implementation risk analysis tools have been incorporated into the expert system. A risk analysis tool has been used to determine the implementation risk due to the imperfect switching actions. Using the GUI, a user can simulate a blackout event on the system under study. The expert system proposes a restoration proposal after reasoning with the past solutions available in the case library. Using the power flow analysis tool, the user can check the system scenarios after the restoration proposal is implemented.

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In borehole mining and oil and gas drilling, the drilling process is invisible from the surface, which is why a two-way communication method between the drill head and the surface is a must. The popular industrial instrumentation technique, widely known as measurement while drilling (MWD), has enabled industries to save costly employee hours and gain more control over the drill bit direction. There are four major methods used throughout history, where the mud pulse telemetry technique has become the state of the art because of its simplicity and convenience. However, like other methods, it has a major drawback of having a slow data transmission rate. Moreover, other methods have different issues which include large attenuation of the data that is transferred through drill pipes. Acoustic telemetry is the most recent method of transferring data through a solid medium, a technique using continuous wave propagation of forces in the wall of the pipe. A proper use of this new method is expected to become popular in the mining and oil-gas industries because of its faster data transmission rate and ability to ignore most attenuating parameters. This method is still in its optimization stage, and the use of a convenient tool to match the transducer with the parameters of the drill pipe and surroundings is still a challenge to overcome. This paper will propose a simulation model to simulate the transmission of data through drill pipes, and will show experimental results of such arrangement justifying the opportunities ahead in this field.

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Drilling for exploration and mineral extraction purposes is generally an invisible process, that is, there is a lack of real-time information available from the tool head. The borehole mining and oil-gas drilling industries both face tremendous challenges because of this invisibility. Lack of data has impacts on extraction quantity and quality, process efficiencies, and is a major factor in overall program costs. This is why a communication method between the drill head and the surface has been under research. Different communication methods have enabled industries to establish more control over the drill bit. Low data transmission rate is one of the most concerning drawbacks of existing communication methods. Acoustic, also known as vibrational telemetry, is the most recent method used in transferring data through drill pipe at the highest data transmission rate. The proper use of acoustic tools and communication schemes will successfully establish a fast data transmission rate and is expected to become a popular method. This paper will introduce a simulation model for transmission of data through drill pipes and will extrapolate a practical case of a large number of pipes that is usually used in oil-gas extraction. It will also demonstrate an experimental setup of a new acoustic transducer.