Intelligent alarm processing

This paper presents the analysis that have been carried out in the alarm system of the DCRanger EMS. The intention of this study is to present the problem of alarm processing in electric energy control centers, its various aspects and operational difficulties due to operator needs. Some tests are produced in order to identify the desirable features an alarm system should possess in order to be of effective help in the operative duty. © 2006 IEEE.

Transmission network expansion planning considering uncertainty in generation and demand

This paper presents a mathematical model and a methodology to solve a transmission network expansion planning problem considering uncertainty in demand and generation. The methodology used to solve the problem, finds the optimal transmission network expansion plan that allows the power system to operate adequately in an environment with uncertainty. The model presented results in an optimization problem that is solved using a specialized genetic algorithm. The results obtained for known systems from the literature show that cheaper plans can be found satisfying the uncertainty in demand and generation. ©2008 IEEE.

Transmission network expansion planning considering multiple generation scenarios

This paper presents a mathematical model and a methodology to solve a transmission network expansion planning problem considering open access. The methodology finds the optimal transmission network expansion plan that allows the power system to operate adequately in an environment with multiples generation scenarios. The model presented is solved using a specialized genetic algorithm. The methodology is tested in a system from the literature. ©2008 IEEE.

Planeamiento de la expansión de sistemas de transmisión considerando contingencias y demanda incierta

This paper presents a methodology and a mathematical model to solve the expansion planning problem that takes into account the effect of contingencies in the planning stage, and considers the demand as a stochastic variable within a specified range. In this way, it is possible to find a solution that minimizes the investment costs guarantying reliability and minimizing future load shedding. The mathematical model of the expansion planning can be represented by a mixed integer nonlinear programming problem. To solve this problem a specialized Genetic Algorithm combined with Linear Programming was implemented.

A specialized genetic algorithm to solve the short term transmission network expansion planning

In this paper, the short term transmission network expansion planning (STTNEP) is solved through a specialized genetic algorithm (SGA). A complete AC model of the transmission network is used, which permits the formulation of an integrated power system transmission network expansion planning problem (real and reactive power planning). The characteristics of the proposed SGA to solve the STTNEP problem are detailed and an interior point method is employed to solve nonlinear programming problems during the solution steps of the SGA. Results of tests carried out with two electrical energy systems show the capabilities of the SGA and also the viability of using the AC model to solve the STTNEP problem. © 2009 IEEE.

On the efficiency of an alternative codification for multiobjective service restoration in electric distribution networks

This paper proposes an alternative codification to solve the service restoration in electric power distribution networks using a SPEA2 multiobjective evolutionary algorithm, assuming the minimization of both the load not supplied and the number of switching operations involved in the restoration plan. Constrains as the line, power source and voltage drop limits in order to avoid the activation of protective devices are all included in the proposed algorithm. Experimental results have shown the convenience on considering these new representations in the sense of feasibility maintenance and also in the sense of better approximation to the Pareto set. ©2009 IEEE.

Modelo AC para el despacho combinado de contratos bilaterales y bolsa de energía considerando restricciones de seguridad

Reliability is a key aspect in power system design and planning. Maintaining a reliable power system is a very important issue for their design and operation. Under the new competitive framework of the electricity sector, power systems find ever more and more strained to operate near their limits. Under this new scenario, it is crucial for the system operator to use tools that facilitate an energy dispatch that minimizes possible power cuts. This paper presents a mathematical model to calculate an energy dispatch that considers security constraints (single contingencies in transmission lines and transformers). The model involves pool markets and fixed bilateral contracts. Traditional methodologies that include security constraints are usually based in multistage dispatch processes. In this case, we propose a single-stage model that avoids the economic inefficiencies which result when conventional multi-stage dispatch approaches are applied. The proposed model includes an AC representation of the transport system and allows calculating the cost overruns incurred in due to reliability restrictions. We found that complying with fixed bilateral contracts, when they go above certain levels, might lead to congestion problems in transmission lines.

Specialized genetic algorithm for transmission network expansion planning considering reliability

This paper presents a methodology to solve the transmission network expansion planning problem (TNEP) considering reliability and uncertainty in the demand. The proposed methodology provides an optimal expansion plan that allows the power system to operate adequately with an acceptable level of reliability and in an enviroment with uncertainness. The reliability criterion limits the expected value of the reliability index (LOLE - Loss Of Load Expectation) of the expanded system. The reliability is evaluated for the transmission system using an analytical technique based in enumeration. The mathematical model is solved, in a efficient way, using a specialized genetic algorithm of Chu-Beasley modified. Detailed results from an illustrative example are presented and discussed. © 2009 IEEE.

Two-level network design with intermediate facilities: An application to electrical distribution systems

We consider the two-level network design problem with intermediate facilities. This problem consists of designing a minimum cost network respecting some requirements, usually described in terms of the network topology or in terms of a desired flow of commodities between source and destination vertices. Each selected link must receive one of two types of edge facilities and the connection of different edge facilities requires a costly and capacitated vertex facility. We propose a hybrid decomposition approach which heuristically obtains tentative solutions for the vertex facilities number and location and use these solutions to limit the computational burden of a branch-and-cut algorithm. We test our method on instances of the power system secondary distribution network design problem. The results show that the method is efficient both in terms of solution quality and computational times. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

An unproblematic method to solve economic and emission dispatch

This paper proposes a method to determine the output of all online units with minimum total cost when the amount of emission is reasonable. A joint economic and emission dispatch is proposed in order to get a significant compromise between costs and emission such that real power supply-demand equilibrium is satisfied. In order to have a meaningful compromise between costs and emission in the problem formulation, two variables are used, weighting factor and price penalty factor. A case study comprising of a 3-unit power system is employed, where various demand is used. Results for the test system indicate the fastness and effectiveness of proposed method. © 2011 IEEE.

Computer tools to aid the learning and design steps for photovoltaic systems

This paper presents novel simulation tools to assist the lecturers about learning processes on renewable energy sources, considering photovoltaic (PV) systems. The PV behavior, functionality and its interaction with power electronic converters are investigated in the simulation tools. The main PV output characteristics, I (current) versus V (voltage) and P (power) versus V (voltage), were implemented in the tools, in order to aid the users for the design steps. In order to verify the effectiveness of the developed tools the simulation results were compared with Matlab. Finally, a prototype was implemented with the purpose to compare the experimental results with the results from the proposed tools, validating its operational feasibility. © 2011 IEEE.

A new design methodology for multipulse rectifiers with Delta auto-connected transformers and a retrofit application in Adjustable Speed Drives (ASDs)

Multipulse rectifiers can replace a conventional six pulse three-phase rectifier (diode bridge) providing a DC voltage with low ripple, low Total Harmonic Distortion of current (THDi) and a high Power Factor (PF). In this context is presented a multipulse rectifier with generalized Delta-differential autotransformer topology, which can provide any level of DC output voltage for any level of three-phase AC input voltage. This paper presents all the possible configurations for Delta topology in order to choose, through graphics, one configuration that presents reduced weight and volume. The average voltage on the DC bus must be compatible with the DC voltage in the six pulse rectifier used in commercial ASDs. Therefore, it is possible to apply the retrofit technique to replace the conventional bridge rectifier by the proposed multipulse rectifier. Based on mathematic models and simulation results, an 18-pulse rectifier with Delta topology, 220 V of line voltage, 315 V of DC output, and rating 2.5 kW of power was designed, implemented and applied for three different commercial ASDs. Experimental results as voltage and current waveforms and results about PF and THDi will be presented. © 2012 IEEE.

Strategies to reduce the number of variables and the combinatorial search space of the multistage transmission expansion planning problem

This paper proposes strategies to reduce the number of variables and the combinatorial search space of the multistage transmission expansion planning problem (TEP). The concept of the binary numeral system (BNS) is used to reduce the number of binary and continuous variables related to the candidate transmission lines and network constraints that are connected with them. The construction phase of greedy randomized adaptive search procedure (GRASP-CP) and additional constraints, obtained from power flow equilibrium in an electric power system are employed for more reduction in search space. The multistage TEP problem is modeled like a mixed binary linear programming problem and solved using a commercial solver with a low computational time. The results of one test system and two real systems are presented in order to show the efficiency of the proposed solution technique. © 1969-2012 IEEE.

Improving the grid operation and reliability cost of distribution systems with dispersed generation

In this work, a mathematical model to analyze the impact of the installation and operation of dispersed generation units in power distribution systems is proposed. The main focus is to determine the trade-off between the reliability and operational costs of distribution networks when the operation of isolated areas is allowed. In order to increase the system operator revenue, an optimal power flow makes use of the different energy prices offered by the dispersed generation connected to the grid. Simultaneously, the type and location of the protective devices initially installed on the protection system are reconfigured in order to minimize the interruption and expenditure of adjusting the protection system to conditions imposed by the operation of dispersed units. The interruption cost regards the unsupplied energy to customers in secure systems but affected by the normal tripping of protective devices. Therefore, the tripping of fuses, reclosers, and overcurrent relays aims to protect the system against both temporary and permanent fault types. Additionally, in order to reduce the average duration of the system interruption experienced by customers, the isolated operation of dispersed generation is allowed by installing directional overcurrent relays with synchronized reclose capabilities. A 135-bus real distribution system is used in order to show the advantages of using the mathematical model proposed. © 1969-2012 IEEE.

Simplified procedure to estimate the resistance parameters of transmission lines

An alternative and simplified procedure is described to estimate the longitudinal resistances of transmission lines based on the real-time load profile. This method proposes to estimate the resistance parameters from the synchronized measurements of complex currents and complex voltages at the sending and receiving ends of transmission systems. The synchronized measurements can be in practice obtained using phasor measurement units (PMUs). © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.