In this thesis, we introduce alignment-based algorithms for improving the performance of reinforcement learning solutions for problems where the reward signal cannot be collapsed into a single number. Many real world problems require an agent to balance performance, longevity, and safety, and do so across different timelines. The key to...
Using repositories to store product design information can provide additional and extensive design knowledge to the global design community. Using repository data in the design of new products can be especially impactful for DfX design objectives, such as product sustainability, about which many engineering designers have limited knowledge. Furthermore, repositories...
Energy security is a vital but often unmet requirement for community resiliency. Electricity availability is essential to the functioning of the economy, individual households, and the collective essential services that provide health, safety, and the basic human needs to sustain life. Coastal communities in Oregon face special vulnerability because they...
Despite its promise as a potentially beneficial new source of energy, the ocean-based renewable energy industry is still in its infancy, and like any new idea there are many unknowns with the potential to affect both people and our natural environments. A permit for marine renewable energy (MRE) must cut...
Model Predictive Control (MPC) has previously been investigated on ocean waveenergy converters (WEC) to improve the amount of power captured, while respectingthe system constraints. Previous research done in the same area, focused onbuilding a control scheme by using the knowledge of the past & current statesof the system and predicting...
Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs) are quasi-DC signals that are induced in the ground during geomagnetic disturbances (GMDs) and pose a large threat to power grid infrastructure. The power industry currently attempts to mitigate GIC effects by utilizing 1-D ground electrical conductivity based electric field predictions, though conductivity can vary in...
Vacuum arc remelting (VAR) is a secondary melting process for exotic alloys. The main purpose of this process is to increase the input ingot’s physical and chemical homogeneity. This is accomplished through the application of a high current that melts the material through the emergence of electrical arcs that induce...
The National Conference of State Legislatures NCSL declares that 29 states have
been active in adopting and increasing renewable portfolio standards. Present
renewable portfolio standards require utilities to increase integration of renewable
energy sources such as photovoltaic (PV). The increased penetration of PV systems
is expected to destabilize the power...
Due to the popularity of electronically controlled loads and the widespread use of alternative energy sources such as wind turbines and solar cells, the power quality at the distribution level must be carefully monitored. One of the many different means to monitor power quality is through frequency measurements. Nonlinearities cause...
Synchrophasor technology has gained great momentum with the widely adopted concept of smart grids in power systems at transmission and generation level. This has led to an improved state estimation of a power system with the advent of Phasor Measurement Units (PMU). PMUs contribute in providing real-time information about the...