This thesis investigates techniques for prototyping and evaluation of medium voltage (MV) power module packages. Specific focus will be given to the utilization of silver sintering as a bonding method for high temperature, high density power modules. Nano-silver paste and preform will be examined in detail as enabling technologies for a new generation of power electronics. To accomplish this task, analysis and characterization of the metal-ceramic substrate and its structure is performed. First, finite element models are created to evaluate the fatigue behavior of the large area bonds in the substrate structure. Prototypes of these multi-layer substrates have also been fabricated and will be subjected to thermal cycling tests for experimental verification of the efficacy of their sintered silver bonds. Stacked direct-bonded aluminum (DBA) substrates have been found to withstand up to 1000 thermal cycles of –40 °C to 200 °C when attached with low pressure-assisted silver sintering. The thermal performance of 10 kV SiC power module utilizing multi-layer DBA substrates bonded with a large-area, low pressure-assisted sintered silver bond will also be examined to ensure the sintered bond is viable for the harsh operating conditions of MV modules. A junction-to-case thermal resistance of 0.142 °C/W is measured on a module prototype utilizing stacked DBA substrates. Finally, analysis of a double-sided cooling scheme enabled by large area sintering is simulated and prototyped to demonstrate a 6.5 kV package for a MV power device. Residual stress failures induced by a highly rigid structure have been examined and mitigated through implementation of a 5 MPa pressure-assisted, double-sided silver sintering approach. / Master of Science / Power modules are the building blocks of the electrical grid of the future. As society transitions to renewable energy to fight the crisis presented by climate change, the structure of the energy grid will have to change to accommodate the increase in solar, wind, geothermal, and other renewable sources of energy generation. A clean energy grid structure will contain ubiquitous opportunities to use power modules for medium-voltage (MV) applications, like managing the flow of electricity from solar panels and wind turbines to neighborhoods and office buildings. However, these MV power modules will need to be resilient to extreme temperature and electrical stresses inherent to these applications. Current technology must be improved in both performance and reliability to match the needs of this future grid. This thesis investigates, through both experiment and computer simulation, techniques for improving the reliability of MV power modules without sacrificing thermal or electrical performance. Techniques presented in this work have the potential to transform power modules, so they may operate at higher temperatures and efficiencies for a longer lifetime than the current state-of-the-art.

Σε αυτή την διπλωματική εργασία γίνεται μελέτη των σφαλμάτων των εναέριων γραμμών διανομής μέσης τάσης από καταπονήσεις κεραυνών στην περιοχή του νομού Τρικάλων. Η εργασία αυτή αναλύει και παρέχει με σχετική ακρίβεια προβλέψεις για σφάλματα από κεραυνικά πλήγματα στις γραμμές διανομής ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας μέσης τάσης. / This diploma thesis focuses on the lightning performance of electric power overhead distribution lines in the prefecture of Trikala. This paper analyzes and provides relatively accurate forecast errors from lightning strikes on power distribution lines MV.

Στη παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία θα μελετηθεί η συμπεριφορά των εναέριων γραμμών μέσης τάσης του νομού Άρτας, όταν αυτές πλήττονται από διάφορα αίτια, τα οποία είναι καταγεγραμμένα μέσω του Συστήματος Αναγγελιών Βλαβών (ΣΑΒ) της ΔΕΗ και βρίσκονται στη διάθεσή μας για το έτος 2011. Τα κυριότερα αυτών είναι τα κεραυνικά πλήγματα και η κακοκαιρία και σε αυτά θα δωθεί βαρύτητα. Σκοπός είναι να εξαχθούν, μέσω θεωρητικών υπολογισμών, κάποια συμπεράσματα για το πως θα συμπεριφέρονται οι γραμμές αυτές ανάλογα με τη τοποθεσία, το ανάγλυφο της περιοχής, το ύψος της γραμμής και διάφορους άλλους παράγοντες που θα αναφερθούν λεπτομερώς στο 3ο κεφάλαιο. Για την καλύτερη κατανόηση όμως των προαναφερθέντων και για να έχουμε μια πιο πλήρη εικόνα επι του αντικειμένου, θα πρέπει αρχικά να γίνει μια συνοπτική παρουσίαση ενός τυπικού συστήματος ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας, αφού πρώτα αναλυθεί στα επιμέρους τμήματά του. Αναγκαία επίσης είναι και η αναφορά της IEEE οδηγίας για τη συμπεριφορά έναντι κεραυνών των εναέριων γραμμών διανομής ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας, μιας και οι επικρατούντες κλιματολογικές – περιβαλλοντολογικές συνθήκες είναι από τις βασικές αιτίες πρόκλησης σφαλμάτων στα εναέρια δίκτυα. / This thesis studies the behavior of medium voltage (distribution) lines of county of Artas, when they are affected by various causes, which are written down from the System Notice Damage of Hellenic Public Power Corporation and are at our disposal for the year 2011. The most important of them are lightning strikes and bad weather, to which extra focus will be given. Our purpose is to conclude through theoretical calculations to the behavior of these lines according to the location, relief area, the line’s height and other factors that will be mentioned in chapter 3. In order to have a complete perception of the subject, a brief presentation of a typical power system will take place after it is analysed in subsections. It is also important to mention the guidelines of Intstitute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) on the behaviour of air power distribution lines against lightning, as the prevailing environmental and climatological conditions are the most essential causes of faults on air lines.

Η παρούσα διπλωματική πραγματεύεται την μελέτη της ηλεκτροδότησης ενός αντλιοστασίου, καθώς και του ιδιωτικού Υ/Σ που θα έχει ο καταναλωτής από το δίκτυο ΜΤ της ΔΕΗ. Στα πρώτα κεφάλαια γίνεται μια θεωρητική προσέγγιση του προβλήματος. Ειδικότερα, παρατίθενται οι τύποι παροχής των ιδιωτικών Υ/Σ, ενώ αναλύονται τα μέσα ζεύξης και προστασίας της ΜΤ. Στη συνέχεια παρουσιάζονται τα είδη γείωσης των ιδιωτικών Υ/Σ ΜΤ-ΧΤ καθώς και οι κατηγορίες καλωδίων για την ΧΤ και την ΜΤ και τρόποι εγκατάστασης τόσο των καλωδίων ΧΤ όσο και αυτών της ΜΤ. Ακολουθεί μια περιγραφή των Μ/Τ ισχύων που χρησιμοποιούνται για την ζεύξη με το δίκτυο ΜΤ και τα μέσα προστασίας των Μ/Σ . Ταυτόχρονα αναπτύσσονται τα μέσα ζεύξης - απόζευξης και προστασίας XT αλλά και ο τρόπος λειτουργίας τους με σκοπό την αντιμετώπιση των ρευμάτων βραχυκύκλωσης που ενδεχομένως εμφανίζονται σε μια ηλεκτρική εγκατάσταση. Τέλος περιγράφονται οι πίνακες ΜΤ και ΧΤ μέσα στους οποίους τοποθετούνται τα μέσα προστασίας και ζεύξης - απόζευξης ΜΤ και ΧΤ του Υ/Σ, ενώ παράλληλα επισημαίνεται η αναγκαιότητα και τα πλεονεκτήματα της αντιστάθμισης της άεργου ισχύος και οι τρόποι επίτευξής της. Γίνεται ακόμη ιδιαίτερη αναφορά στην συντήρηση ενός Υ/Σ και στην αναγκαιότητα της. Στο 11ο κεφάλαιο έχουμε την μελέτη ενός αντλιοστασίου και ένα ένα τα βήματα που ακολουθούμε για την ολοκλήρωση της μελέτης από την επιλογή των κινητήρων , την διατομή των καλωδίων ΜΤ και ΧΤ , τις προστασίες τόσο στην ΜΤ και την ΧΤ όσο και στους κινητήρες , την επιλογή του Μ/Σ έως τον υπολογισμό των ζυγών ,τους πίνακες ΜΤ και ΧΤ και την αντιστάθμιση της άεργου ισχύος. / This thesis deals with the study of power supplying of a pump-station, as well as of a private Substation that the consumer would have, from the Medium Voltage network of DEH. In the early chapters is a theoretical approach to the problem. In particular, lists the types of provision of private M/L Voltage Substation, while analysing the connection and protection structures of MV. Then presents the types of groundings in private M/L Voltage Substations and also the categories of cables for LV and MV and ways of installation. Follows a description of power transformers used for coupling with the MV network and the protection of them. At the same time develop the means decoupling – coupling and protections at LV and their operation for dealing with potentially short-circuit currents appear in an electrical installation. Finally describes the MV and LV fields within are placed the protectιons of LV and MV coupling of the M/L Substation, while pointing out the necessity and advantages of counterbalancing the reactive power and ways of achieving it. Is a special reference to maintenance of M/L Substation and the need of it. In the 11th chapter we study a pump-station and one by one the steps to follow to complete the study from the choice of engines, the cross-section of cables LV and MV, protections both in MV, LV and engines, and the selection of suited power transformer till the calculations of bars, fields of LV and MV and counterbalancing the reactive power.

Medium-voltage (MV) motor drives have found widespread applications in various heavy industries, such as in the oil and gas sectors, production plants, and process industries. Conventional cascaded H-bridge (CHB) multilevel inverters dominate the medium-voltage industrial drives domain due to their modularity, scalability, and reliability. The most prevalent CHB topology in the drive industry is based on the diodes-front-end (DFE) rectifier, which greatly limits the industrial application of the conventional CHB drives where the ability of handling regeneration is required. The main objective of this thesis is to develop a low-cost, high performance, reliable regenerative CHB drive. The thesis is concentrating on reducing the grid-tied filter size, shrinking the DC-link capacitors, improving the system’s performance and reliability through advanced control techniques. First, to reduce the number of passive filter components, a new sideband harmonic active filtering strategy based on the carrier-shifting method is proposed for regenerative CHB drives. This proposed approach extends the carrier shifted PWM method for regenerative CHB drives to further reduce the required passive filter size significantly and thus improves the overall size, cost, and efficiency while complying with IEEE Std 519-2014 grid standard. Second, a novel voltage ripple controller is proposed to reduce the dc-link capacitance in the three-phase regenerative CHB drive without adding extra measurements. Third, to achieve a faster dynamic response and the multi-objective performance during the control of CHB drives, a novel high-performance predictive control with long prediction horizons is proposed to improve the control performance of the CHB multilevel inverters. The formulation of the proposed high-performance finite control set model predictive control (FCS-MPC) is explained in detail and analyzed to reduce the real-time computation burden. Last, when a fault is detected in the regenerative CHB drive system, the reliability and fault-tolerant ability are considered as the main issues. To improve the drive system reliability, a non-symmetrical selective harmonic elimination (SHE) formulation is proposed to extend the output voltage range with a good harmonic profile under post-fault conditions. Experimental validation of the proposed algorithms is presented for the operation of a scaled-down seven-level regenerative CHB drive system. These proposed techniques make the regenerative CHB drive a promising solution for future medium-voltage regenerative drive applications in terms of cost, performance, and reliability. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Medium Voltage (MV) power conversion systems are essential in high power applications to address the increasing demand of energy and the increasing penetration of renewable energy sources. MV power electronics converters are the key elements for power conversion in MV systems and are the focus of this study. Multilevel converter topologies are promising topologies in MV applications because of their reduced voltage stress on devices, excellent output quality, reduced semiconductor losses, lower common mode voltage among other advantages. However, they may suffer from the large number of switching devices and capacitors, as well as the need to regulate capacitor voltages. SiC MOSFETs can achieve higher switching speeds, higher switching frequencies, higher voltage ratings, higher operation temperatures compared to traditional Si devices. They have shown promise to increase the efficiency and power density of the converters, but may suffer from higher voltage overshoots, increased Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) emission and so on. In SiC-based multilevel converters, the features of multilevel topologies, and the features of SiC MOSFETs are coupled together. The benefits, challenges, and solutions of using SiC MOSFETs in multilevel converters are studied explicitly in this work. With the high switching speeds and high switching frequencies of SiC MOSFETs, and the large number of switches and capacitors in multilevel topologies, SiC-based multilevel converters need to be studied while considering high-frequency voltage and current behaviors and the interactions among them at different locations. Firstly, the use of SiC-based multilevel converter in the high-speed motor drive application is explored. A three-phase inverter is designed and built employing five-level Stacked Multicell Converter topology and SiC MOSFETs. The benefits and challenges of using multilevel converter topology and using SiC MOSFETs for this application are explored. A fitting topology is selected, and a prototype is designed, both with attentions paid to deal with the high switching speeds of SiC MOSFETs. The inverter is verified through experiments to meet all specifications with a high efficiency. Then a unique type of converter, converters with Integrated Capacitor Blocked Transistor (ICBT) cells are studied. Unlike the traditional methods, there are no fast-developing voltage unbalances, or high cell capacitor voltage ripples in ICBT-based converters. The ideal operation principle is analyzed and verified by the simulation results. Then the impacts of non-idealities on the operation are analyzed, and a control method is proposed for this type of converter. The operation and control of ICBT-based converters are verified by experimental results to achieve low cell capacitor voltage ripples and excellent voltage balance in Medium Voltage high power applications. Lastly, the conducted EMI emission in SiC-based multilevel converters are studied. Four SiC-based multilevel converters are studied, with the focus on the power circuit in one converter and the auxiliary circuits in the other three converters. The complexity of noise generation and propagation in multilevel converters is presented. The conducted EMI disturbances are experimentally evaluated, analyzed, and effectively mitigated in all four cases. / Doctor of Philosophy / Medium Voltage (MV) power conversion systems are essential in high power applications to address the increasing demand of energy and the increasing penetration of renewable energy sources. MV power electronics converters are the key elements for power conversion in MV systems and are the focus of this study. Multilevel converter topologies are promising topologies in MV applications because of their reduced voltage stress on devices, excellent output quality, reduced semiconductor losses, lower common mode voltage among other advantages. However, they may suffer from the large number of switching devices and capacitors, as well as the need to regulate capacitor voltages. SiC MOSFETs can achieve higher switching speeds, higher switching frequencies, higher voltage ratings, higher operation temperatures compared to traditional Si devices. They have shown promise to increase the efficiency and power density of the converters, but may suffer from higher voltage overshoots, increased Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) emission and so on. In SiC-based multilevel converters, the features of multilevel topologies, and the features of SiC MOSFETs are coupled together. The benefits, challenges, and solutions of using SiC MOSFETs in multilevel converters are studied explicitly in this work. With the high switching speeds and high switching frequencies of SiC MOSFETs, and the large number of switches and capacitors in multilevel topologies, SiC-based multilevel converters need to be studied while considering high-frequency voltage and current behaviors and the interactions among them at different locations. Firstly, the use of SiC-based multilevel converter in the high-speed motor drive application is explored. A three-phase inverter is designed and built employing five-level Stacked Multicell Converter topology and SiC MOSFETs. The benefits and challenges of using multilevel converter topology and using SiC MOSFETs for this application are explored. A fitting topology is selected, and a prototype is designed, both with attentions paid to deal with the high switching speeds of SiC MOSFETs. The inverter is verified through experiments to meet all specifications with a high efficiency. Then a unique type of converter, converters with Integrated Capacitor Blocked Transistor (ICBT) cells are studied. Unlike the traditional methods, there are no fast-developing voltage unbalances, or high cell capacitor voltage ripples in ICBT-based converters. The ideal operation principle is analyzed and verified by the simulation results. Then the impacts of non-idealities on the operation are analyzed, and a control method is proposed for this type of converter. The operation and control of ICBT-based converters are verified by experimental results to achieve low cell capacitor voltage ripples and excellent voltage balance in Medium Voltage high power applications. Lastly, the conducted EMI emission in SiC-based multilevel converters are studied. Four SiC-based multilevel converters are studied, with the focus on the power circuit in one converter and the auxiliary circuits in the other three converters. The complexity of noise generation and propagation in multilevel converters is presented. The conducted EMI disturbances are experimentally evaluated, analyzed, and effectively mitigated in all four cases.

Sundsvall elnät har länge jobbat med att vädersäkra sitt elnät genom att gräva ner sitt mellanspänningsnät och det finns i dagsläget inga riktlinjer för hur mellanspänningskablar skall inspekteras. Målet med denna rapport var att utveckla en metod för hur Sundsvall elnät skulle kunna bedöma skicket på sina mellanspänningskablar, utreda vilka referensvärden borde användas, samt utforma rekommendationer för hur mätningarna borde tolkas i förhållande till möjligheten att fortsätta att ha kablarna i drift. För att möta målen genomfördes en litteraturstudie där olika diagnostikmetoder undersöks, referensvärden togs fram. Kablarnas åldringsmekanismer undersöktes samt konsekvenser av dåliga kablar förklaras. Utöver detta så utfördes ett antal mätningar i fält med tillgängliga mätmetoder. Rapporten visar på att det finns många tillgängliga mätmetoder för kabeldiagnostik men att få metoder har erkända referensvärden för bedömning. Rapporten påvisar att en kombination av mätningar med tangens med VLF, mätning av partiella urladdningar samt resistansmätning av kabelskärm/följeledare kan vara en bra metod bedöma skicket på mellanspänningskablar. / Sundsvall elnät has been working to weatherproof their grid by placing their medium voltage grid underground and to this date there are no regulations with regards to how to inspect underground cables. The aim of this survey was to develop a method for Sundsvall elnät on how to assess the condition of their medium voltage cables, investigate which reference values should be used, and to formulate recommendations on how measurements should be interpreted with regards to how long the cable can remain in service. To meet the aim of the survey a literature study was conducted where different methods for cable diagnostics, reference values, ageing mechanisms for medium voltage cables and consequences of bad cables was investigated. Furthermore some measurements are performed in field environment with available equipment. The report shows that there are many available methods for diagnostics of medium voltage cables but few methods that have recognized reference values. The report also shows that a combination of measurements containing tangens  with VLF, measurement of partial discharges and a resistance measurement of the cable screen and ground line could be a useful method for assessing the condition of medium voltage cables.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Voltage regulation on distribution networks has so far been done by means of mechanical tap changers. However, these tap changers are plagued by high maintenance costs due to the arcing caused while switching, which degrades both the contacts and transformer oil. The major advances made during the last decade with regard to semiconductor technology have led to the development of high power IGBTs. These high power IGBTs are capable of conducting currents up to 1 000 A, while the voltage over the IGBT reaches well over 3 000 V. Using these high power IGBTs to design and build a solid-state tap changer allows the tap changer to regulate the output voltage with higher accuracy and speed. The supporting hardware is also discussed, while the design is verified by the use of simulations and practical measurements conducted on a scale-model of the IGBT-based solid-state tap changer. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Spannings regulasie op distribusie netwerke word hedendaags verrig deur meganiese tap geskalde spanning reguleerders. Maar hierdie tap skakelaars word konstant beïnvloed deur oorvonking wat plaasvind tussen die kontakte wat hierdie kontakte beskadig en die transformator olie degradeer. Die laaste dekade het groot vordering getoon in halfgeleier navorsing wat gelei het tot die ontwikkeling van hoë drywing halfgeleiers. Die halfgeleiers of IGBTs kan strome so groot soos 1 000 A gelei terwyl die spanning oor die halfgeleier 3 000 V kan oorskry. Die gebruik van die hoë drywing halfgeleiers maak die pad oop vir die ontwerp en bou van ’n tap geskakelde reguleerder wat die uitree spanning akurater en vinniger kan reguleer. Die aanvullende hardeware is ook bespreek en die ontwerp is geverifieër deur middel van simulasies en deur praktiese metings wat geneem is op ’n skaal model van die hoogspanning spannings reguleerder.

Στην παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία ϑα µελετηθεί η συµπεριφορά των γραµµών διανομής μέσης τάσης, όταν αυτές πλήττονται από κεραυνούς, είτε άµεσα είτε έµµεσα. Οι κεραυνοί είναι ένα ϕυσικό ϕαινόµενο µε επικίνδυνες συνέπειες για την ασϕάλεια των ανθρώπων, κτιρίων και ηλεκτρικών εγκαταστάσεων. Οι γραµµές του ηλεκτρικού δικτύου (είτε υψηλής, είτε μέσης, είτε χαµηλής τάσης) είναι ευάλωτες σε πλήγµατα κεραυνών. Όταν ένας κεραυνός πλήξει άµεσα µια γραµµή ή το γειτονικό της έδαφος, τότε ϑα εµφανισϑούν σϕάλµατα στο ηλεκτρικό δίκτυο υπό µορφή επικίνδυνων υπερτάσεων. Οι υπερτάσεις αυτές σε πολλές περιπτώσεις µπορεί να υπερβαίνουν την κρουστική τάση αντοχής της µόνωσης του δικτύου, µε αποτέλεσµα, αν δεν υπάρχουν διατάξεις προστασίας, να διασπαστεί το διάκενο, προκαλώντας ανεπανόρθωτη ζηµιά στον εξοπλισµό µας. Η µελέτη για τη συµπεριφορά των εναέριων γραµµών διανοµής εµπεριέχει αρκετές προσεγγίσεις. Μερικές από αυτές αφορούν κάποιες βασικές παραµέτρους, όπως η πυκνότητα των κεραυνών στο έδαφος (GFD) και το πλήθος των άµεσων πληγµάτων στη γραµµή. Προκειµένου να εξάγουµε ασϕαλή δεδοµένα, συµβουλευόµαστε τους αντίστοιχους µετεωρολογικούς πίνακες-χάρτες ( π.χ. ισοκεραυνικοί χάρτες). Στο πρώτο κεφάλαιο της εργασίας γίνεται παρουσίαση της µορφής των συστηµάτων ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας µε ιδιαίτερη έµφαση στο σύστηµα διανοµής. Παρουσιάζεται η δοµή του συστήµατος διανοµής, τα επιµέρους τμήματα και εξαρτήµατα από τα οποία αποτελείται, καθώς και τα χαρακτηριστικά τους. Στο τέλος του κεφαλαίου παρουσιάζονται δεδοµένα και στατιστικά του ελληνικού συστήµατος διανοµής. Στο δεύτερο κεφάλαιο, γίνεται µια σύντοµη παρουσίαση των σϕαλµάτων και υπερτάσεων που παρουσιάζονται στο σύστηµα διανοµής, καθώς και των µέσων προστασίας που χρησιµοποιούµε προκειµένου να εξασϕαλίσουµε την αδιάλειπτη λειτουργία και ακεραιότητα του συστήµατος µας. Στο τρίτο κεφάλαιο παρουσιάζεται το ϕυσικό ϕαινόµενο του κεραυνού, καθώς και τα βασικά χαρακτηριστικά αυτού. Εξετάζονται τα είδη των κεραυνών και η εξοµοίωσή τους σε εργαστηριακές συνθήκες µέσω κρουστικής τάσης για δοκιµές της αντοχής των µονώσεων. Στο τέταρτο κεφάλαιο περιγράφεται η οδηγία της IEEE για τη συµπεριφορά των εναέριων γραµµών διανοµής ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας έναντι κεραυνών. Σκοπός του κεφαλαίου είναι η παρουσίαση εναλλακτικών λύσεων για τη µείωση των βραχυκυκλωµάτων που προκαλούνται από κεραυνό στις εναέριες γραµµές. Συγκεκριµένα, προσδιορίζεται η συµπεριφορά των εναέριων γραµµών διανοµής σε περίπτωση πτώσης κεραυνού (πλήγµατα κεραυνών και βραχυκυκλώµατα από επαγόµενη τάση), το επίπεδο µόνωσης των γραµµών διανοµής, η προστασία των γραµµών διανοµής µε προστατευτικό αγωγό, καθώς και η προστασία των γραµµών με αλεξικέραυνα. Στο πέµπτο κεφάλαιο της εργασίας, γίνεται επεξεργασία και μελέτη των καταγρεγραμένων σφαλµάτων και βλαβών λόγω πτώσεως κεραυνών στο δίκτυο μέσης τάσης, σε µετασχηµατιστές και σε γραµµές διανοµής Μ.Τ., κατά την διάρκεια της επταετίας 2005-2011 στο νομό Αιτωλοακαρνανίας. Υπολογίζεται αναλυτικά ο ϑεωρητικός αριθµός σφαλµάτων σύµϕωνα µε την οδηγία της IEEE, και στη συνέχεια γίνεται σύγκριση µε τα πραγµατικά σφάλµατα που έχουν καταγραφεί από τις υπηρεσίες της ∆.Ε.Η. στην πόλη του Αγρινίου, µε σκοπό την εξαγωγή χρήσιμων συµπερασµάτων. Γενικά, προκύπτουν αποκλίσεις της θεωρητικής εκτίμησης από τα πραγματικά δεδομένα των καταγραφών, γεγονός που οφείλεται τόσο στον προσεγγιστικό χαρακτήρα της θεωρητικής εκτίμησης, όσο και σε πιθανά λάθη, εξ’ αιτίας της εμπλοκής του ανθρώπινου παράγοντα, στην καταγραφή των πραγματικών σφαλμάτων. Παρ’ όλα αυτά, η απόκλιση αυτή είναι θετική (τα θεωρητικά υπολογισμένα σφάλματα είναι, δηλαδή, περισσότερα από τα καταγεγραμμένα), γεγονός που δεν μειώνει την αξία της εκτίμησης που μας προσφέρει το χρησιμοποιούμενο μοντέλο. / This thesis studies the behavior of medium voltage distribution lines, after being stroked by lightning – directly or indirectly. The lightning is a natural phenomenon, with dangerous impacts on human safety, buildings or electricity premises. The electricity network lines (either of high, medium or low voltage) are prone to lightning strikes. When a lightning strikes a distribution line (or the ground nearby), then faults occur at the distribution network, in the form of dangerous overvoltage. Such overvoltage may in many cases exceed the shock impulse of network’s insulation resistance. As a result, in case no safety arrangements exist, this could lead to gap breakdown, causing irreparable damage to our equipment. The study of the behavior of air distribution lines encompasses several approaches: Some of them have to do with basic parameters, such as the ground flash density (GFD) and the number of direct lightning strikes on distribution lines. In order to export safe data, we use the corresponding meteorological tables/maps (e.g. lightning maps). The first section of this paper contains the presentation of the form of electric power systems, with special emphasis on the distribution system. It is a presentation of the distribution system structure, its individual parts and devices, as well as their features. Data and statistics of the Greek distribution system are presented at the end of the section. The second section is a brief presentation of the faults and overvoltage occurring at the distribution system, as well as of the protection measures we use, in order to ensure uninterrupted operation and integrity, regarding to our system. The third section presents the natural phenomenon of the lightning and its main features. The types of lightning are reviewed here, and its simulation under laboratory conditions through shock impulses, in order to test the insulation resistance. The fourth section is a reference to the directive of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), regarding to the behavior of air distribution lines in case of lightning. The purpose here is to present alternative solutions for the decrease of short-circuit occurrences caused by lightning on overhead lines. Specifically, the behavior of the overhead distribution lines in the event of lightning strikes is determined (meaning both direct lightning strikes and short-circuits arising from the induced voltage), as well as the level of insulation of distribution lines, the protection of distribution lines by employing a protective tube, and the protection of the lines using lightning rods. The fifth section of this paper is an elaboration of the faults recorded and the damages caused due to lightning strikes on the medium voltage network, as well as on transformers and on M.V. distribution lines over a 7-year period (from 2005 to 2011) about the Aitoloakarnania state. The theoretical number of faults will be calculated in detail, based on the IEEE directive and then these faults will be compared to the real faults provided by D.E.I. in the city of Agrinio (Greek Public Power Corporation), in order to reach our conclusions. In conclusion, a deviation between the theoretical number and the real number of faults is noted: this observation has to do with the approximate character of the model we used, probably as well as the involvement of the human factor in recording the real number of thoughts. However, this deviation is “positive” (meaning that the number of theoretical faults is bigger than the number of the real ones), a fact that does not reduce the value of the number suggested by using the theoretical model provided

Στην παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία μελετήθηκαν οι αιτίες, οι επιπτώσεις και η αντιμετώπιση σε προβλήματα που αφορούν διείσδυση ανώτερων αρμονικών σε δίκτυο μέσης τάσης. Μοντελοποιήθηκε και εισήχθη ένα κομμάτι πραγματικού δικτύου μέσης τάσης στο υπολογιστικό πακέτο MATLAB. Ο εξαχθείσες προσομοιώσεις τόσο της εμπέδησης-συχνότητας όσο και της τάσης παρουσία αρμονικών, έδωσαν συμπεράσματα για τη συμπεριφορά του δικτύου. Τέλος εξετάστηκε η συμπεριφορά του παρουσία παθητικών φίλτρων. / In the present "Diploma Thesis" the causes,the effects and the treatment of high harmonics penetration in middle voltage electric distribution systems were studied.A real middle voltage electric distribution system was modeled with the use of Matlab.The simulations (impedance vs. frequency and voltage with presence of high harmonics) resulted conclusions over the behavior of such system.At last,the behavior of the electric distribution system in presence of passive filters was studied.