The monitoring and control of low voltage distribution grids has historically been disregarded due to the unidirectional flow of power. However, nowadays the massive integration of distributed energy resources into distribution grids, such as solar photovoltaics, distributed storage, electric vehicles and demand response programs, presents some challenges. For instance, the unidirectional top-down power flow is being replaced by power flows in any direction: top-down and bottom-up. This paradigm shift adds extra regulatory, economic, and technical complexity for the Distribution System Operators (DSO). Thus to overcome the possible operational constraints, thermal limits, or voltage problems in the grid, an update of the existing electricity infrastructures is required. In response to this new situation, this thesis investigates the cost-effective communication and control architectures that are required for active low voltage grid monitoring and control applications, considering the regulatory constraints and the efficient utilization of the assets from a DSO’s perspective. The solutions include: i) optimal sensor placement configuration to perform low voltage state estimation, ii) optimal metering infrastructure designs for active low voltage monitoring applications, iii) coordinated control strategies to allow the integration of microgrid-like structures into the distribution grids, iv) optimal placement of actuators for operating the control strategies, v) a multiagent-based control solution for self-healing and feeder reconfiguration applications, and vi) a framework model and simulations to assess the reliability of the ICT infrastructure that enables the monitoring and control applications. As concluding remark, since the deployment of technology at low voltage grids is restricted to assets owned by the DSO, the operability of the grid is limited. This condition makes it so that the required communication and control enhancement solutions shall prioritize cost-effectiveness over comprehensiveness and complexity. Thus, the results from the presented studies show that it is essential to perform thorough cost-benefit analyses of the potential improvement solutions for each grid, because this will allow deploying the right technology only at the necessary locations. / <p>QC 20171106</p><p></p>

Des solutions innovantes doivent être développées pour envisager l’avenir des systèmes électriques face à un nombre grandissant de contraintes. En particulier, le stockage d’énergie est pressenti comme un soutien indispensable à l’essor massif dans les réseaux de distribution de sources de production exploitant les énergies renouvelables. Les présents travaux visent à apporter des éléments de réflexion sur cette option technique qui arrive à maturité et suscite l’intérêt. Dans un premier temps, des méthodes d’étude sont proposées pour cerner le potentiel et les opportunités du stockage distribué. Une grille de caractérisation des technologies est introduite et sa mise en œuvre souligne des performances intéressantes à des coûts qui, cependant, demeurent élevés. Pour rendre leur utilisation réaliste, la valeur de ces dispositifs pour les systèmes électriques est donc critique. Nous l’analysons en deux étapes : une classification de leurs services pour les différents acteurs en présence est définie avant d’aborder la mutualisation de fonctions, requise pour favoriser l’atteinte d’une rentabilité, via une approche originale. Cette démarche aboutit à l’identification de configurations porteuses qui méritent des études plus poussées. Pour ce faire, un modèle général de comportement des unités de stockage est développé dans un second temps. Interfacé à un logiciel de simulation dynamique des réseaux, il permet d’évaluer l’utilisation de telles installations pour diverses offres de services. Ces outils sont appliqués et validés expérimentalement sur la caractérisation d’une réserve impulsionnelle fournie par le stockage pour réduire les délestages dans les systèmes insulaires / Innovative solutions must be developed to make future power systems able to overcome a growing number of challenges. In particular, energy storage is thought to be the missing link that will help enable the massive integration of renewable sources in distribution grids. The present research work aims to investigate this new technical option, which has reached maturity and is currently attracting increasing attention. In the first part of the dissertation, general methods to assess the potential and opportunities of distributed energy storage are presented. A framework for characterizing storage technologies is defined and its use highlights interesting performances but high costs. That is why the benefits of such devices for power systems are crucial to their development. The study of this point is carried out in two phases: their applications for various stakeholders of liberalized power systems are first classified and precisely defined; the aggregation of some of these services to increase the profitability of energy storage is then contemplated using a new method. This approach leads to the identification of high-value configurations that deserve further exploration. To this end, a scalable, flexible model of distributed energy storage systems is proposed in the second part of the dissertation. Its implementation in a dynamic simulation software allows the study of advanced storage service packs in power systems. The possibilities offered by these tools are illustrated and experimentally validated on a case study: the provision of a fast frequency control reserve by distributed storage to reduce the use of automatic load-shedding in isolated power systems is analyzed

For planning issues, it is useful to know the upper limit for photovoltaics (PV) in the electrical grid with current design and operation (defined as hosting capacity) and how this limit can be increased. Future costs for grid reinforcement can be avoided if measures are taken to implement smart grid technology in the distribution grid. The aim of this project is to identify challenges in Swedish electricity distribution grids with a high penetration of local generation of electricity from PV. The aim is also to help Swedish Distribution System Operators (DSOs) to better understand hosting capacity issues, and to see which room for PV integration there is before there is need for actions to maintain power quality. Three distribution grids are modelled and simulated in Matlab: Rural area, Residential area and City (Stockholm Royal Seaport). Since the project is a cooperation between Uppsala University and Fortum, three different representative grids from Fortum’s grid software ”Power Grid” have been used as input to a flexible simulation program developed at Uppsala University. The simulation includes Newton-Raphson power-flow computing but has also been improved with a model of the temperature dependency of the resistance. The results show that there is room for a lot of PV systems in the Swedish grids. When using voltage rise above 1.1 p.u. voltage as limitation, the hosting capacity 60% PV electricity generation as a fraction of the yearly load were determined for the rural grid and the suburban grid. For the city grid, which is very robust, the hosting capacity 325% was determined. When using overload as limitation, the hosting capacities 70%, 20% and 25%, were determined for the same grids.

Le réglage de la tension et la gestion de la puissance réactive est d’une importance capitale pour le bon fonctionnement du système électrique. Les réseaux de distribution connaissent des modifications profondes qui sont tant techniques avec l’insertion de la production décentralisée ou l’enfouissement des lignes aériennes, que réglementaires avec l’entrée en vigueur des codes de réseaux Européens. Aussi, des alternatives aux réglages traditionnels de tension et la mise en place de contrôle des échanges de puissance réactive à l’interface réseau de transport/distribution peuvent être développées. Dans le cadre de ces travaux de doctorat, une solution basée sur l’amélioration du réglage temps réel des réseaux de distribution ainsi que la mise en place d’une gestion conjointe de la puissance réactive entre les gestionnaires du réseau de transport et distribution a été proposée. Ce réglage temps réel est basé sur une méthode de commande prédictive, et s’appuie notamment sur le régleur en charge ou les productions décentralisées pour réaliser un réglage de la tension au sein d’un réseau de distribution et contrôler les échanges de puissance réactive. Les références de puissance réactive à atteindre à l’interface entre réseau de distribution et de transport sont déterminées par le gestionnaire du réseau de transport pour ses propres besoins et en connaissance des réserves de puissance réactive disponible depuis les réseaux de distribution. Par rapport à la littérature, notre démarche a pour originalité de prendre en compte les problèmes à l’interface des réseaux de distribution et de transport et démontre l’intérêt de mener des études conjointes entre gestionnaires / Voltage and reactive power control are of paramount importance to ensure safe and reliable operation of the power system. Distribution grids are undergoing major changes, namely the insertion of distributed generation and the replacement of overhead lines. Along with these physical evolutions, new distribution networks should comply with the requirements of the European Grid Codes on the reactive power exchange at the HV/MV interface. To handle these new operational concerns, alternative solutions to the traditional voltage and reactive power control can be found. In our work, a scheme based on the evolution of the real-time Volt Var Control (VVC) of distribution networks and a joint coordination for the reactive power management of a HV system has been proposed. The real-time VVC of MV grids is based on a predictive control method. This control uses in a coordinated manner the on load tap changer, the distributed generation and the capacitor banks to enforce a suitable MV voltage profile and an appropriate HV/MV reactive power exchange. The reactive power targets at the HV/MV interface are determined by the Transmission System Operator for its own requirements but considering the true MV reactive power reserve. Compared to the literature, the novelty of our approach consists in considering the concerns at the HV/MV system interface. Next our works have shown the relevance of performing joint transmission and distribution system operators analysis.

Continued increase in system load leading to a reduction in operating margins, as well as the tendency to move towards a deregulated grid with renewable energy sources has increased the vulnerability of the grid to blackouts. Advanced intelligent techniques are therefore required to design new monitoring schemes that enable smart grid operation in a secure and robust manner. As the grid is highly interconnected, monitoring of transmission and distribution systems is increasingly relying on digital communication. Conventional security assessment techniques are slow, hampering real-time decision making. Hence, there is a need to develop fast and accurate security monitoring techniques. Intelligent techniques that are capable of processing large amounts of captured data are finding increasing scope as essential enablers for the smart grid. The research work presented in this thesis has evolved from the need for enhanced monitoring in transmission and distribution grids. The potential of intelligent techniques for enhanced system monitoring has been demonstrated for disturbed scenarios in an integrated power system. In transmission grids, one of the challenging problems is network partitioning, also known as network area-decomposition. In this thesis, an approach based on relative electrical distance (RED) has been devised to construct zonal dynamic equivalents such that the dynamic characteristics of the original system are retained in the equivalent system within the desired accuracy. Identification of coherent generators is another key aspect in power system dynamics. In this thesis, a support vector clustering-based coherency identification technique is proposed for large interconnected multi-machine power systems. The clustering technique is based on coherency measure which is formulated using the generator rotor measurements. These rotor measurements can be obtained with the help of Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs). In distribution grids, accurate and fast fault identification of faults is a key challenge. Hence, an automated fault diagnosis technique based on multi class support vector machines (SVMs) has been developed in this thesis. The proposed fault location scheme is capable of accurately identify the fault type, location of faulted line section and the fault impedance in the distributed generation (DG) systems. The proposed approach is based on the three phase voltage and current measurements available at all the sources i.e. substation and at the connection points of DGs. An approach for voltage instability monitoring in 3-phase distribution systems has also been proposed in this thesis. The conventional single phase L-index measure has been extended to a 3-phase system to incorporate information pertaining to unbalance in the distribution system. All the approaches proposed in this thesis have been validated using standard IEEE test systems and also on practical Indian systems.