| Summary: | D.Phil. (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) === Load forecasting is a necessary and an important task for both the electrical consumer and electrical supplier. Whilst many studies emphasize the importance of determining the future demand, few papers address both the forecasting algorithm and computational resources needed to offer a turnkey solution to address the load forecasting problem. The major contribution that, this paper identified is a turnkey load forecasting algorithm. A turnkey forecasting solution is defined by a comprehensive solution that incorporates both the algorithm and processing elements needed to execute the algorithm in the most effective and efficient manner. An electrical consumer, namely the operator of a rapid railway system was faced with a problem of having to forecast the notified network demand and energy consumption. The forecast period was expected to be between a very short term window for maintenance reasons and long term for the requirements warranted by the electrical supplier. The problem was addressed by firstly reviewing the most common forms of load forecasting for which there are two types. These are statistically based methods and methods based upon artificial intelligence. The basic principle of a statistical approach is to approximate or define a curve that best defines the relationship between the load and its parameters. Regression and similar day approach methods use the defined correlation of past values in order to forecast the future behaviour. In other words the future load forecast is forecasted by observing the behaviour of the factors that influenced the load behaviour in the past. The underlying factors that influence the final load may be identified by means of a top down drill down approach. In this way both the load factors and influential variables may be identified. This paper makes use of relevance trees to create a structure of load and influential variables. For a regression forecasting model, the behaviour of the load is modelled according to weather and non-weather variables. The load may be stochastic or deterministic, linear or nonlinear. One of the biggest problems with statistical models is the lack of generality. One model may yield more acceptable results over another model simply because of the sensitivity of the model to one load element that defines the model significantly. Regression type forecast models are an example of this where the elements that define the load are broadly divided into weather and non-weather elements. It is important that the correlation curve reflects the true correlation between the load and its elements. The recursive properties of a statistical based techniques (Kalman filter) allows that the relationship be refined. For methods such as neural networks, the relationship between the load elements that define the future load behaviour is learnt by presenting a series of patterns and then a forecast model is derived. Rigorous mathematical equations are replaced with an artificial neural network where the load curve is learnt. Unlike a statistical based approach (ARMA models), the load does not first need to be defined as a stochastic or deterministic series. In terms of a stochastic approach (non stationery process), the load first would have to be brought to a stationery process. For artificial neural networks, such processes are eliminated and the future forecast is derived faster in terms of a turnkey approach (tested solution). Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) has gained momentum since the eighties. Specifically in the area of forecasting, neural networks have become a common application. In this thesis, data from a railway operator was used to train the neural network and then future data is forecasted. Two embedded processing elements were then evaluated in terms of speed, memory and ability to execute complex mathematical functions (libraries). These were namely a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD) and microcontroller (MCU). The ANN forecasting algorithm was programmed on both a MCU and PLD and compared by means of timing models and hardware platform testing. The most ideal turnkey solution was found to be the ANN algorithm residing on a PLD. The accuracy and speed results surpassed that of a MCU.
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