12 January 2012
MUSCAT: A nine-member team of experts at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the College of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), has developed a smart distribution board (SDB) which can save energy.
"In the SDB, the voltage levels of all phases are periodically measured by the sensors. When the voltages drop below certain thresholds, appliances preselected by the user are turned off one after another and remain off until the voltage levels improve," the researchers said.
"When the voltage improves the appliances are turned back on. The appliances can be remotely controlled using GSM, GPRS or Internet technologies. The product has a cutting edge technology at competitive prices."
The project was carried out for National Electrical Industries Company.
The Industrial Innovation Centre (IIC), which was in charge of the project, selected the SQU research team.
"Besides the emission problem and its impact to the environment, power generation expansion is limited to the availability of natural gas. The expansion of transmission and distribution utilities is costly and the revenue is restricted with the off-peak demand during half of the year.
The surge in demand can create load shedding. This also leads to lower voltage which impacts the life time of house hold electrical appliances," explained Dr Amer Al Hinai and Dr Amer Al Habsi, academics at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Amer Al Hinai and Amer Al Habsi led the research project.
"Electricity consumption is at its peak during summer. This requires the utilities to expand generation, transmission and distribution capacities," Amer Al Hinai said.
Apart from Amer Al Hinai and Amer Al Habsi, the research team included three engineers and four Omani undergraduate students.
The product has been patented and was demonstrated in front of the Technical Director of the Authority of Electricity Regulation, Oman, the General Manager of Muscat Electricity Distribution Company, the General Manager of Majan Electricity Company and senior representatives of Mazoon Electricity Company.
"The feedback was positive and encouraging.
Several members requested the opportunity to run a pilot test of the new product. There is a strong likelihood that the research and development project will be further expanded based on the requirements of the aforementioned authorities," the researchers further explained.
The Industrial Innovation Centre is a government organisation parented by The Research Council (TRC) and The Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (P.E.I.E). One of its responsibilities is to build capacity by encouraging local academic institutions to engage in applied industrial research and development.
The IIC shares the total cost of funding with the company for all approved industrial research projects.
The smart distribution board project is the first successfully completed industrial prototype to be delivered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the SQU in collaboration with the IIC.
MUSCAT: A nine-member team of experts at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the College of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), has developed a smart distribution board (SDB) which can save energy.
"In the SDB, the voltage levels of all phases are periodically measured by the sensors. When the voltages drop below certain thresholds, appliances preselected by the user are turned off one after another and remain off until the voltage levels improve," the researchers said.
"When the voltage improves the appliances are turned back on. The appliances can be remotely controlled using GSM, GPRS or Internet technologies. The product has a cutting edge technology at competitive prices."
The project was carried out for National Electrical Industries Company.
The Industrial Innovation Centre (IIC), which was in charge of the project, selected the SQU research team.
"Besides the emission problem and its impact to the environment, power generation expansion is limited to the availability of natural gas. The expansion of transmission and distribution utilities is costly and the revenue is restricted with the off-peak demand during half of the year.
The surge in demand can create load shedding. This also leads to lower voltage which impacts the life time of house hold electrical appliances," explained Dr Amer Al Hinai and Dr Amer Al Habsi, academics at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Amer Al Hinai and Amer Al Habsi led the research project.
"Electricity consumption is at its peak during summer. This requires the utilities to expand generation, transmission and distribution capacities," Amer Al Hinai said.
Apart from Amer Al Hinai and Amer Al Habsi, the research team included three engineers and four Omani undergraduate students.
The product has been patented and was demonstrated in front of the Technical Director of the Authority of Electricity Regulation, Oman, the General Manager of Muscat Electricity Distribution Company, the General Manager of Majan Electricity Company and senior representatives of Mazoon Electricity Company.
"The feedback was positive and encouraging.
Several members requested the opportunity to run a pilot test of the new product. There is a strong likelihood that the research and development project will be further expanded based on the requirements of the aforementioned authorities," the researchers further explained.
The Industrial Innovation Centre is a government organisation parented by The Research Council (TRC) and The Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (P.E.I.E). One of its responsibilities is to build capacity by encouraging local academic institutions to engage in applied industrial research and development.
The IIC shares the total cost of funding with the company for all approved industrial research projects.
The smart distribution board project is the first successfully completed industrial prototype to be delivered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the SQU in collaboration with the IIC.
© Times of Oman 2012
