Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-01-19T10:31:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 gustavojosesantiagorosseti.pdf: 1281297 bytes, checksum: 0d547bba728df4c23bbf1317541f6e39 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-01-25T17:44:12Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 gustavojosesantiagorosseti.pdf: 1281297 bytes, checksum: 0d547bba728df4c23bbf1317541f6e39 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-25T17:44:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 gustavojosesantiagorosseti.pdf: 1281297 bytes, checksum: 0d547bba728df4c23bbf1317541f6e39 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-31 / Esta tese apresenta uma metodologia para maximizar o restabelecimento de cargas em sistema de distribuição de energia elétrica após à ocorrência de uma ou simultâneas contingências. Para tanto, um algoritmo heurístico construtivo é proposto, determinando passo a passo os procedimentos operativos a serem adotados. Aspectos associados com as restrições de radialidade e de tensão nas barras, minimização de manobras de chaves, consumidores prioritários e mínimo corte discreto de carga são considerados a fim de uma representação mais realista do problema. A metodologia é aplicada em sistemas tradicionais da literatura, incluindo um sistema real de médio porte. / This thesis presents a methodology for maximizing the load restoration in power distribution system after simultaneous occurrence of contingency. Therefore, a heuristic constructive algorithm is proposed to determine step by step the operation procedures to be adopted. Aspects associated with the radiality and bus voltage constraints, minimization of maneuvering switches, priority consumers and minimum discrete load shedding are considered to provide a more realistic representation of the problem. The proposed approach is applied in traditional systems from literature including a real medium size test system.

This thesis conducts research into different rechargeable battery technologies and their applicability to the high altitude balloon flights conducted at Esrange space center. The research focuses on the possible use of lithium ion batteries’, sodium ion batteries, nickel metal hydrate, and Metal hydridelithiumion batteries. Resulting in lithium ion batteries in 18650 cells being recommended. The thesis continues with a modular power distribution system architecture design. The system architecture is established with solarcharging capabilities, up to 1500W peak output power, over 600W continuous output power, multiple output voltages, more than six output channels, remote output power switching, and monitoring of power consumption. A prototype is built from this architecture on which limited testing is performed.The testing shines light on future improvements and displays proof of concept for some parts.

Increasing amounts of solar power connected to the low-voltage network will adversely affect the performance of the network. The two impacts that will most often set the limit are overvoltage with the customers and overloading the distribution transformer. In this work, alternative methods have been studied for determining when a transformer is overloaded, to allow more solar power to be connected to the low-voltage network, i.e., increasing the hosting capacity for solar power.A limit-based method on the highest temperature inside the transformer (the hotspot temperature) and a method based on the loss-of-life of the transformer insulation due to hotspot temperatures above the design temperature are those alternative methods in this study. These methods are known as "dynamic transformer rating", a technology proposed in the literature but with very little practical experience in distribution networks.Two models were developed and implemented in MATLAB: a thermal model of the transformer calculating the hotspot temperature for a given time series of loading and ambient temperature; and a model for the loss-of-life of the winding insulation for given time series of the hotspot temperature. These models have been applied to existing distribution networks: measured consumption patterns with high time resolution (10-minute time step) for nine different distribution transformers for 1.5 years (network operator); measured ambient temperature (SMHI); and solar-power production calculated from satellite measurements (Renewables Ninja).For these nine distribution transformers, the time series of the hotspot temperature and the loss-of-life over the 1.5 years have been calculated for different values of the solar power installed capacity on the low-voltage side of the distribution transformer. The resulting time series are used to estimate the hosting capacity for solar power of a 200 kVA transformer. Using the existing design methods, the hosting capacity is 200 kW. Once that value is reached, the further connection of solar power should be stopped until a larger transformer is available. According to IEC design methods, the hosting capacity is about 270 kW using a limit to the hotspot temperature. This value somewhat depends on the loading patterns of the transformer before the connection of solar power. Once that value is reached, the further connection should again be stopped. Even for installed capacity exceeding 270 kW, the loss of life of the transformer insulation is still small and acceptable. This allows for further connection of PV without the immediate need to replace the transformer. Even values up to 350 or 400 kW may be acceptable, but a limit based on loss-of-life will require a detailed risk analysis as the pre-solar loading of the transformer is shown to play an important role.This work has shown that dynamic transformer rating allows more solar power to be connected to a distribution network than using classical rating methods without unacceptable risk for transformer loss-of-life.

Before putting new power distribution installation into operation and before the connection to grid is needed to validate connectivity of the installation. Purpose of verification is to check compliance with the technical conditions of relevant regulations. Ones of the most important conditions include compliance with the prescribed connection voltage tolerance at the connecting device – and even in the worst-case – and provide necessary short-circuit capability of the other devices in a connected grid. Main task of my master’s thesis is just checking that the voltage tolerance and the control of short-circuit resistance. The calculations were performed by using the dispatching control system that works with the current parameters of the distribution system equipment 110 kV. Theoretical part of thesis describes two main points of the method of calculating the network operation and the method of calculating short-circuit conditions. Based on these theoretical processes are relevant input data processed and evaluated in the dispatching control system. The calculation and evaluate results are presented in the final part of the master’s work.

This work deals with the deployment of distributed power sources into the electric power grid. The nature of these sources causes that the massive integration may experience problems with power quality in the local context, and also overall reliability of supply in the range of interconnected power systems may be endangered. Work is focused on local voltage quality problems with special emphasis on analysis and design of tools (e.g. reactive power compensation units of power plants or dynamic voltage control by transformers 110/22kV) for voltage control in power distribution systems. These tools should be used as a part of uniform concept of voltage control. The proposed concept is involved.

This Master’s thesis focuses on calculation of power and temperature distribution in fuel assemblies of VVER-440 reactor at Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant. Theoretical section contains a brief description of VVER-440 technology, fuel and its development at Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant, basics of heat generation in nuclear reactors as well as an overview and categorization of computer codes, used for core calculations. Of these codes, the MOBY-DICK computer code is then described in depth, including its input and output files. The MOBY-DICK code is later on used for pinwise calculating power distribution of selected fuel cycles of defined units at Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant, with vizualization of output values for characteristic fuel assemblies. Results of this computation are then used for analysis, whether uneven power distribution in the core and heat generation gradient within fuel assemblies have any influence on measuring channel output temperatures, which is the pivotal part of this thesis.

Oliver Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies. / MPM

MRDV / Institute for Rural Development / In the year 2002, the Zimbabwean government adopted a Rural Electrification Programme (REP) as a developmental strategy designed to improve villagers’ lives. Despite the government’s noble initiative to improve rural areas’ access to electricity, not much is known about the REP’s socio-economic benefits to grassroots communities in the country. Thus, a study was carried out to determine the REP’s socio-economic benefits accruing to villagers in Insiza South District located in Matabeleland South Province of Zimbabwe. Appreciative inquiry was undertaken following a mixed method approach. Data were collected through two sequentially integrated phases. Multistage sampling was applied to select respondents from 15 villages within three administrative wards 5, 7 and 12 of Insiza South District. Out of the 110 respondents who participated in the study, the eight key informants who participated in the first phase were drawn from the institutions that coordinated the REP. One hundred and two residents participated in phase two of data collection carried out through application of focus group discussions (FGDs). Thematic content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data collected in phase 1 of the study. Quantitative data was analysed using the International Business Machines, Statistical Product and Service Solution (IBM, SPSS) version 24 for Windows. More than 68 % of the respondents perceived basic uses (lighting, cooking, and for educational purposes) of electricity as the benefits accruing from the REP. Sixty six percent of respondents viewed modern uses (heating, cooling and air conditioning) of electricity as the benefits accruing from the programme. A much smaller proportion (31 %) of villagers singled out the benefits of electrification to be productive uses such as boiler making, manufacturing and mechanised farming. There were highly significant differences in perception among residents of the wards with respect to basic (P < 0.001) and modern (P < 0.01) uses. However, there were no differences in perception among male and female members of the three wards (P < 0.05). The collective community benefits included improved access to information, enhanced retention and attraction of teachers in rural areas, introduction of computer studies in schools and initiation of entrepreneurial projects such as welding and milling. Residents also benefitted indirectly from the REP through local electrified service centres. It was revealed that almost 91 % the local villagers were still using firewood while about 59 % of the villagers who could afford it had access to solar power. The study highlighted the need for a platform to deliberate on challenges relating to RE and its contribution to economy. The findings are crucial for rural development, policy reviews and academic research.

In power distribution system planning, it is essential to understand the impacts that electric vehicles (EVs), and the non-linear, time-variant loading profiles associated with their charging units, may have on power distribution networks. This research presents a design methodology for the creation of both analytical and behavioral models for EV charging units within a VHDL-AMS simulation environment. Voltage and current data collected from Electric Avenue, located on the Portland State University campus, were used to create harmonic profiles of the EV charging units at the site. From these profiles, generalized models for both single-phase (Level 2) and three-phase (Level 3) EV chargers were created. Further, these models were validated within a larger system context utilizing the IEEE 13-bus distribution test feeder system. Results from the model's validation are presented for various charger and power system configurations. Finally, an online tool that was created for use by distribution system designers is presented. This tool can aid designers in assessing the impacts that EV chargers have on electrical assets, and assist with the appropriate selection of transformers, conductor ampacities, and protection equipment & settings.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / This thesis proposes two new topologies for Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS), and a grid-tie microinverter. The first topic will discuss an on-line transformerless UPS system based on the integrated power electronics converters that is able to control the input power factor, charge the battery, and guarantee backup operation of the system. The main advantages of the proposed UPS are active power factor correction (PFC) without the need of a complex control scheme, and integrated functions of the battery charger circuit and PFC with only three power switches. Operation modes of the system and the PWM strategy is presented in detail. The second topic discussed is of a proposed circuitry for a single-phase back-to-back converter for UPS applications. The main advantages of this topology is higher number of levels at the rectifier side, less number of power switches, and no need for a boost inductor at the input side of the converter. The last topic discussed is of a proposed patent pending microinverter. This topic was a project funded by the National Science Foundation, and its aim was to help commercialize the research. This project proposes a solution for a solar inverter called Delta Microinverter that allows easier and faster installation as well as power conversion with higher efficiency. Delta Microinverters innovation is found in its patent-pending shape and in its patent-pending circuitry, i.e., electronics mounted inside of the Delta Microinverter. The Delta Microinverters shape has a housing configured for rapid mounting using a single fastener and its power electronics configuration offers an optimized relationship between the number of levels and number of power switches.