Wind intermittency and CO2 reductions: the case of the spanish power system

Renewable energy sources are believed to reduce drastically greenhouse gas emissions that would otherwise be generated from fossil fuels used to generate electricity. This implies that a unit of renewable energy will replace a unit of fossil-fuel, with its CO2 emissions, on an equivalent basis (with no other effects on the grid). But, the fuel economy and emissions in the existing power systems are not proportional with the electricity production of intermittent sources due to cycling of the fossil fuel plants that make up the balance of the grid (i.e. changing the power output makes thermal units to operate less efficiently). This study focuses in the interactions between wind generation and thermal plants cycling, by establishing the levels of extra fuel use caused by decreased efficiencies of fossil back-up for wind electricity in Spain. We analyze the production of all thermal plants in 2011, studying different scenarios where wind penetration causes major deviations in programming, while we define a procedure for quantifying the carbon reductions by using emission factors and efficiency curves from the existing installations. The objectives are to discuss the real contributions of renewable energies to the environmental targets as well as suggest alternatives that would improve the reliability of future power systems.

Mission profile based optimization of a wearable power system

A Wearable Power System (WPS) is a portable power source utilized primarily to power the modern soldier’s electronic equipment. Such a system has to satisfy output power demands in the range of 20 W...200 W, specified as a 4-day mission profile and has a weight limit of 4 kg. To meet these demands, an optimization of a WPS, comprising an internal combustion (IC) engine, permanent magnetic three-phase electrical motor/generator, inverter, Li-batteries, DC-DC converters, and controller, is performed in this paper. The mechanical energy extracted from the fuel by IC engine is transferred to the generator that is used to recharge the battery and provide the power to the electrical output load. The main objectives are to select the engine, fuel and battery type, to match the weight of fuel and the number of battery cells, to find the optimal working point of engine and to minimize the system weight. To provide the second output voltage level of 14 VDC, a separate DC-DC converter is connected between the battery and the load, and optimized for the specified mission profile. A prototype of the WPS based on the optimization presented in the paper results in a total system weight of 3.9 kg and fulfils the mission profile.

Performance metrics for small-signal stability assessment of DC-distributed power-system-architecture comparisons

The objective of this paper is to provide performance metrics for small-signal stability assessment of a given system architecture. The stability margins are stated utilizing a concept of maximum peak criteria (MPC) derived from the behavior of an impedance-based sensitivity function. For each minor-loop gain defined at every system interface, a single number to state the robustness of stability is provided based on the computed maximum value of the corresponding sensitivity function. In order to compare various power-architecture solutions in terms of stability, a parameter providing an overall measure of the whole system stability is required. The selected figure of merit is geometric average of each maximum peak value within the system. It provides a meaningful metrics for system comparisons: the best system in terms of robust stability is the one that minimizes this index. In addition, the largest peak value within the system interfaces is given thus detecting the weakest point of the system in terms of robustness.

Simplified small-signal stability analysis for optimized power system architecture

The optimization of power architectures is a complex problem due to the plethora of different ways to connect various system components. This issue has been addressed by developing a methodology to design and optimize power architectures in terms of the most fundamental system features: size, cost and efficiency. The process assumes various simplifications regarding the utilized DC/DC converter models in order to prevent the simulation time to become excessive and, therefore, stability is not considered. The objective of this paper is to present a simplified method to analyze small-signal stability of a system in order to integrate it into the optimization methodology. A black-box modeling approach, applicable to commercial converters with unknown topology and components, is based on frequency response measurements enabling the system small-signal stability assessment. The applicability of passivity-based stability criterion is assessed. The stability margins are stated utilizing a concept of maximum peak criteria derived from the behavior of the impedance-based sensitivity function that provides a single number to state the robustness of the stability of a well-defined minor-loop gain.

Systematic Method to Assess Small-Signal Stability of DC-Distributed Power-System-Architecture

The objective of this paper is to present a simplified method to analyze small-signal stability of a power system and provide performance metrics for stability assessment of a given power-system-architecture. The stability margins are stated utilizing a concept of maximum peak criteria (MPC), derived from the behavior of an impedance-based sensitivity function that provides a single number to state the robustness of the stability of a well-defined minor-loop gain. For each minor-loop gain, defined at every system interface, the robustness of the stability is provided as a maximum value of the corresponding sensitivity function. Typically power systems comprise of various interfaces and, therefore, in order to compare different architecture solutions in terms of stability, a single number providing an overall measure of the whole system stability is required. The selected figure of merit is geometric average of each maximum peak value within the system, combined with the worst case value of system interfaces.

Pre-investigation of water electrolysis for flexible energy storage at large scales: the case of the Spanish power system

This report analyzes the basis of hydrogen and power integration strategies, by using water electrolysis processes as a means of flexible energy storage at large scales.

Wireless Power Transfer: Control para máxima transferencia de potencia con enlace resonante inductivo

Este trabajo forma parte del proyecto “Health aware enhanced range wireless power transfer systems”, conocido por el acrónimo de ETHER. Los grupos investigadores que forman parte de ETHER involucran a dos instituciones, Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña (UPC) y Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM). En este caso, el trabajo ha sido llevado a cabo en el marco del Centro de Electrónica Industrial(CEI) de la UPM. Además, este trabajo es el tercero en una sucesión de estudios realizados por el CEI con el objetivo de lograr implementar un sistema de carga inalámbrica en un marcapasos. Los trabajos previos al desarrollado son los realizados por Miguel Gifford y María Gonzalez. Otros trabajos del CEI han servido de guía. El principal objetivo de la aplicación, es evitar las operaciones que se llevan a cabo actualmente para la sustitución de la batería de los marcapasos implantados en pacientes. Este periodo de sustitución es del orden de cuatro años, lo que depende del tipo de marcapasos y las circunstancias en las que se vea envuelto el paciente. Se pretende lograr la carga del dispositivo causando la menor molestia posible al paciente sin afectar a su salud. El sistema de carga inalámrica o WPT1, está basado en inducción magnética resonante, conocida como RIC2. Esta tecnología se fundamenta en el uso de bobinas acopladas como elemento transmisor de energía. A su vez, la impedancia de estas bobinas, es compensada mediante el uso de condensadores, obteniendo circuitos resonantes. Mediante el uso de RIC se logran mejores características técnicas para la transmisión de energía en el rango medio. Esto permite salvar la distancia entre el elemento generador y la batería del marcapasos, incluso ante la existencia de tejido orgánico entre las dos bobinas. Se han considerado dos posibilidades de configuraci´on del sistema. Dos etapas: se dispone de dos bobinas, emisora y receptora. Esta configuración supone trabajar a altas frecuencias para conseguir transferencia de energías efectivas teniendo en cuenta las especificaciones del marcapasos. Tres etapas: se dispone de tres bobinas, emisora, intermedia y receptora. Se mejora el alcance, permitiendo trabajar a menores frecuencias, pero complicando el control y la implementación del sistema. Sin embargo, el foco de los esfuerzos invertidos en este trabajo, es el estudio del sistema de optimización que se introduce en las configuraciones anteriormente descritas. La optimización se centra en conseguir máxima transferencia de potencia, quedando relegado a un segundo plano el rendimiento. Esto se justifica por las características de la aplicación donde la principal limitación es la viabilidad del sistema. Asímismo, la viabilidad viene impuesta por la potencia que consume el marcapasos y la que es capaz de suministrar el sistema. Este sistema de optimización se basa en la regulación en frecuencia y en la adaptación de la impedancia de carga. Este último método es estudiado, y se basa en lograr una impedancia de carga igual al complejo conjugado de la impedancia de salida, logrando máxima transferencia de potencia. El sistema de optimización hace uso de varias estructuras de control de electrónica de potencia. Inversor: Se sitúa en la etapa emisora y permite controlar la frecuencia de trabajo del sistema. Rectificador activo: Se sitúa en la etapa receptora y controla el desfase entre intensidad y tensión. Convertidor CC-CC: Se sitúa en la etapa receptora, tras el rectificador. Controla la amplitud de la tensión.Mediante el uso conjunto del rectificador y el convertidor es posible controlar la impedancia de la carga. Se ha realizado un análisis teórico para determinar el punto de funcionamiento óptimo del sistema, y posteriormente, se han validado estos resultados mediante simulaciones. Se demuestra que la potencia transferida por el sistema WTP se multiplica por cinco respecto de la solución original, es decir, en ausencia del sistema de optimización. Además se logra mayor robustez, ya que el control activo del sistema proporciona mayor adaptabilidad ante condiciones alejadas de las de diseño. El trabajo realizado se ha prolongado durante un periodo de doscientos días efectivos con una dedicación de 360 horas de trabajo. El coste total asignado al desempeño del trabajo es de 16.678,94 euros.

Pre-investigation of water electrolysis for flexible energy storage at large scales: the case of the Spanish power system

This report analyzes the basis of hydrogen and power integration strategies, by using water electrolysis processes as a means of flexible energy storage at large scales. It is a prospective study, where the scope is to describe the characteristics of current power systems (like the generation technologies, load curves and grid constraints), and define future scenarios of hydrogen for balancing the electrical grids, considering the efficiency, economy and easiness of operations. We focus in the "Spanish case", which is a good example for planning the transition from a power system holding large reserve capacities, high penetration of renewable energies and limited interconnections, to a more sustainable energy system being capable to optimize the volumes, the regulation modes, the utilization ratios and the impacts of the installations. Thus, we explore a novel aspect of the "hydrogen economy" which is based in the potentials of existing power systems and the properties of hydrogen as energy carrier, by considering the electricity generation and demand globally and determining the optimal size and operation of the hydrogen production processes along the country; e.g. the cost production of hydrogen becomes viable for a base-load scenario with 58 TWh/year of power surplus at 0.025 V/kWh, and large number electrolyzer plants (50 MW) running in variable mode (1-12 kA/m2)

THE DESIGN OF A POWER SYSTEM FOR A WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORK FOR LONG-TERM OPERATION

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have shown wide applicability to many fields including monitoring of environmental, civil, and industrial settings. WSNs however are resource constrained by many competing factors that span their hardware, software, and networking. One of the central resource constrains is the charge consumption of WSN nodes. With finite energy supplies, low charge consumption is needed to ensure long lifetimes and success of WSNs. This thesis details the design of a power system to support long-term operation of WSNs. The power system’s development occurs in parallel with a custom WSN from the Queen’s MEMS Lab (QML-WSN), with the goal of supporting a 1+ year lifetime without sacrificing functionality. The final power system design utilizes a TPS62740 DC-DC converter with AA alkaline batteries to efficiently supply the nodes while providing battery monitoring functionality and an expansion slot for future development. Testing tools for measuring current draw and charge consumption were created along with analysis and processing software. Through their use charge consumption of the power system was drastically lowered and issues in QML-WSN were identified and resolved including the proper shutdown of accelerometers, and incorrect microcontroller unit (MCU) power pin connection. Controlled current profiling revealed unexpected behaviour of nodes and detailed current-voltage relationships. These relationships were utilized with a lifetime projection model to estimate a lifetime between 521-551 days, depending on the mode of operation. The power system and QML-WSN were tested over a long term trial lasting 272+ days in an industrial testbed to monitor an air compressor pump. Environmental factors were found to influence the behaviour of nodes leading to increased charge consumption, while a node in an office setting was still operating at the conclusion of the trail. This agrees with the lifetime projection and gives a strong indication that a 1+ year lifetime is achievable. Additionally, a light-weight charge consumption model was developed which allows charge consumption information of nodes in a distributed WSN to be monitored. This model was tested in a laboratory setting demonstrating +95% accuracy for high packet reception rate WSNs across varying data rates, battery supply capacities, and runtimes up to full battery depletion.

Thought power, its control and culture,

"Reprinted 1918."

The space station power system.

Shipping list no.: 88-291-P.

Ohio River. Letter from the Secretary of War transmitting pursuant to section 1 of the River and harbor act approved January 21, 1927, and section 10 of the Flood control act approved May 15, 1928, a letter from the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, dated August 14, 1935, submitting a report, together with accompanying papers and illustrations, containing a general plan for the improvement of the Ohio River for the purposes of navigation and efficient development of its water power, the control of floods, and the needs of irrigation.

"Report of the Board of engineers for rivers and harbors": p. 7-19.