Dynamic security assessment of power systems using structure-preserving energy functions

An application of direct methods to dynamic security assessment of power systems using structure-preserving energy functions (SPEF) is presented. The transient energy margin (TEM) is used as an index for checking the stability of the system as well as ranking the contigencies based on their severity. The computation of the TEM requires the evaluation of the critical energy and the energy at fault clearing. Usually this is done by simulating the faulted trajectory, which is time-consuming. In this paper, a new algorithm which eliminates the faulted trajectory estimation is presented to calculate the TEM. The system equations and the SPEF are developed using the centre-of-inertia (COI) formulation and the loads are modelled as arbitrary functions of the respective bus voltages. The critical energy is evaluated using the potential energy boundary surface (PEBS) method. The method is illustrated by considering two realistic power system examples.

Low frequency oscillations in power systems: A physical account and adaptive stabilizers

This paper presents a physical explanation of the phenomenon of low frequency oscillations experienced in power systems. A brief account of the present practice of providing fixed gain power system stabilizers (PSS) is followed by a summary of some of the recent design proposals for adaptive PSS. A novel PSS based on the effort of cancelling the negative damping torque produced by the automatic voltage regulator (AVR) is presented along with some recent studies on a multimachine system using a frequency identification technique.

Fuzzy Expert Approach with Curtailed Controllers for Improved Reactive Power Dispatch

This paper addresses the problem of curtailing the number of control actions using fuzzy expert approach for voltage/reactive power dispatch. It presents an approach using fuzzy set theory for reactive power control with the purpose of improving the voltage profile of a power system. To minimize the voltage deviations from pre-desired values of all the load buses, using the sensitivities with respect to reactive power control variables form the basis of the proposed Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC). Control variables considered are switchable VAR compensators, On Load Tap Changing (OLTC) transformers and generator excitations. Voltage deviations and controlling variables are translated into fuzzy set notations to formulate the relation between voltage deviations and controlling ability of controlling devices. The developed fuzzy system is tested on a few simulated practical Indian power systems and modified IEEE-30 bus system. The performance of the fuzzy system is compared with conventional optimization technique and results obtained are encouraging. Results obtained for a modified IEEE-30 bus test system and a 205-node equivalent EHV system a part of Indian southern grid are presented for illustration purposes. The proposed fuzzy-expert technique is found suitable for on-line applications in energy control centre as the solution is obtained fast with significant speedups with few number of controllers.

An integrated design approach to power systems : from power flows to electricity markets

Power system is at the brink of change. Engineering needs, economic forces and environmental factors are the main drivers of this change. The vision is to build a smart electrical grid and a smarter market mechanism around it to fulfill mandates on clean energy. Looking at engineering and economic issues in isolation is no longer an option today; it needs an integrated design approach. In this thesis, I shall revisit some of the classical questions on the engineering operation of power systems that deals with the nonconvexity of power flow equations. Then I shall explore some issues of the interaction of these power flow equations on the electricity markets to address the fundamental issue of market power in a deregulated market environment. Finally, motivated by the emergence of new storage technologies, I present an interesting result on the investment decision problem of placing storage over a power network. The goal of this study is to demonstrate that modern optimization and game theory can provide unique insights into this complex system. Some of the ideas carry over to applications beyond power systems.

Compliance verification methodology for renewable generation integration. Application to island power grids

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Control de frecuencia en parques eólicos.

[ES]de generación convencional basada en grandes centrales de generación térmica por lo que es necesaria la contribución de este tipo de generación en el mantenimiento de las magnitudes básicas del sistema. El objetivo del T.F.G, será analizar el impacto de la generación eólica en la frecuencia del sistema, así como las diferentes propuestas para que este tipo de generación participe en el control de frecuencia. En primer lugar se describen los aspectos técnicos de la generación eólica. A continuación se analiza el control de frecuencia y se examinan diferentes mecanismos de contribución de la generación eólica al control de frecuencia. Finalmente se realizará un ejemplo práctico mediante el programa de simulación Matlab/Simulink con objeto de analizar de forma simplificada el comportamiento de control de frecuencia en sistemas eléctricos con generación eólica.

Superconducting fault current limiter design using parallel-connected YBCO thin films

Superconducting Fault Current Limiters (SFCLs) are able to reduce fault currents to an acceptable value, reducing potential mechanical and thermal damage to power system apparatus and allowing more flexibility in power system design and operation. The device can also help avoid replacing circuit breakers whose capacity has been exceeded. Due to limitations in current YBCO thin film manufacturing processes, it is not easy to obtain one large thin film that satisfies the specifications for high voltage and large current applications. The combination of standardized thin films has merit to reduce costs and maintain device quality, and it is necessary to connect these thin films in different series and parallel configurations in order to meet these specifications. In this paper, the design of a resistive type SFCL using parallel-connected YBCO thin films is discussed, including the role of a parallel resistor and the influence of individual thin film characteristics, based on both theory and experimental results. © 2009 IEEE.

An ultra-low power CMOS random number generator

This paper proposes an ultra-low power CMOS random number generator (RING), which is based on an oscillator-sampling architecture. The noisy oscillator consists of a dual-drain MOS transistor, a noise generator and a voltage control oscillator. The dual-drain MOS transistor can bring extra-noise to the drain current or the output voltage so that the jitter of the oscillator is much larger than the normal oscillator. The frequency division ratio of the high-frequency sampling oscillator and the noisy oscillator is small. The RNG has been fabricated in a 0.35 mu m CMOS process. It can produce good quality bit streams without any post-processing. The bit rate of this RNG could be as high as 100 kbps. It has a typical ultra-low power dissipation of 0.91 mu W. This novel circuit is a promising unit for low power system and communication applications. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

分布式过程控制系统在大电流稳流控制中的应用

本文介绍了一个用于供电系统的ＤＰＣＳ，以及智能控制─实时专家系统控制在ＤＰＣＳ中的应用、特点和实现。

The development of a computer model to optimize the performance of a 50kWp photovoltaic system

A computer model has been developed to optimize the performance of a 50kWp photovoltaic system which supplies electrical energy to a dairy farm at Fota Island in Cork Harbour. Optimization of the system involves maximising the efficiency and increasing the performance and reliability of each hardware unit. The model accepts horizontal insolation, ambient temperature, wind speed, wind direction and load demand as inputs. An optimization program uses the computer model to simulate the optimum operating conditions. From this analysis, criteria are established which are used to improve the photovoltaic system operation. This thesis describes the model concepts, the model implementation and the model verification procedures used during development. It also describes the techniques which are used during system optimization. The software, which is written in FORTRAN, is structured in modular units to provide logical and efficient programming. These modular units may also be used in the modelling and optimization of other photovoltaic systems.

High-current inductors for high-power automotive DC-DC converters

This thesis is focused on the investigation of magnetic materials for high-power dcdc converters in hybrid and fuel cell vehicles and the development of an optimized high-power inductor for a multi-phase converter. The thesis introduces the power system architectures for hybrid and fuel cell vehicles. The requirements for power electronic converters are established and the dc-dc converter topologies of interest are introduced. A compact and efficient inductor is critical to reduce the overall cost, weight and volume of the dc-dc converter and optimize vehicle driving range and traction power. Firstly, materials suitable for a gapped CC-core inductor are analyzed and investigated. A novel inductor-design algorithm is developed and automated in order to compare and contrast the various magnetic materials over a range of frequencies and ripple ratios. The algorithm is developed for foil-wound inductors with gapped CC-cores in the low (10 kHz) to medium (30 kHz) frequency range and investigates the materials in a natural-convection-cooled environment. The practical effects of frequency, ripple, air-gap fringing, and thermal configuration are investigated next for the iron-based amorphous metal and 6.5 % silicon steel materials. A 2.5 kW converter is built to verify the optimum material selection and thermal configuration over the frequency range and ripple ratios of interest. Inductor size can increase in both of these laminated materials due to increased airgap fringing losses. Distributing the airgap is demonstrated to reduce the inductor losses and size but has practical limitations for iron-based amorphous metal cores. The effects of the manufacturing process are shown to degrade the iron-based amorphous metal multi-cut core loss. The experimental results also suggest that gap loss is not a significant consideration in these experiments. The predicted losses by the equation developed by Reuben Lee and cited by Colonel McLyman are significantly higher than the experimental results suggest. Iron-based amorphous metal has better preformance than 6.5 % silicon steel when a single cut core and natural-convection-cooling are used. Conduction cooling, rather than natural convection, can result in the highest power density inductor. The cooling for these laminated materials is very dependent on the direction of the lamination and the component mounting. Experimental results are produced showing the effects of lamination direction on the cooling path. A significant temperature reduction is demonstrated for conduction cooling versus natural-convection cooling. Iron-based amorphous metal and 6.5% silicon steel are competitive materials when conduction cooled. A novel inductor design algorithm is developed for foil-wound inductors with gapped CC-cores for conduction cooling of core and copper. Again, conduction cooling, rather than natural convection, is shown to reduce the size and weight of the inductor. The weight of the 6.5 % silicon steel inductor is reduced by around a factor of ten compared to natural-convection cooling due to the high thermal conductivity of the material. The conduction cooling algorithm is used to develop high-power custom inductors for use in a high power multi-phase boost converter. Finally, a high power digitally-controlled multi-phase boost converter system is designed and constructed to test the high-power inductors. The performance of the inductors is compared to the predictions used in the design process and very good correlation is achieved. The thesis results have been documented at IEEE APEC, PESC and IAS conferences in 2007 and at the IEEE EPE conference in 2008.