The primary goal of this work is to develop a PSCAD/EMTDC simulation model which can emulate the reclosing capabilities of an actual reclosing relay. The first part of this work will demonstrate the capabilities of a commercially available, microprocessor-based reclosing relay, the SEL-551c. Next, a computer simulation model of this relay's reclosing capability will be developed in PSCAD/EMTDC and validated. The performance of the model will be compared to the performance of the SEL-551c. Because it is impractical to test the relay operation under fault conditions in a real distribution system, fault characteristics will be determined in PSCAD. Utilizing a test system for the SEL relay, we can show the accuracy of the PSCAD recloser model compared to the SEL-551c relay for similar fault scenarios. The validation is done by analyzing the data from the simulation and experiment. The results show that both the PSCAD recloser model and SEL-551c operate close to the expected theoretical values. The primary contribution of this work is the development of a PSCAD recloser model and validation with a real world reclosing relay. In previous works where recloser analysis was done in PSCAD, such as [14], recloser operation was manually accomplished. However, the recloser model developed in this work allows the user to enter any standard TCC equation that may be programmed into an actual relay and achieve similar results. The model is useful when analyzing larger distribution systems with multiple reclosers. Additionally, validating the PSCAD recloser model with a real world device provides confidence that the simulations provide reasonable and meaningful results. / text

This thesis demonstrates the value of integrating electrical distribution engineering analysis with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The 37-Node IEEE Feeder model was used as the base distribution system in this study. It was modeled separately, both in software capable of unbalanced load-flow and in an industry-standard GIS environment. Both tools utilized were commercially available, off-the shelf products indicative of those used in academia and in basic GIS installations. The foundational data necessary to build these models is representative of information required by a variety of utility departments for a multitude of applications. It is inherent to most systems within an enterprise-level, business-wide data model and therefore can be used to support a variety of applications. In this instance, infrastructure information is assumed to be managed and housed with the GIS. This data provides the required information as input for load-flow calculations. The engineering analysis is performed within DistributionSystem 4.01 and its output is passed back to the GIS in tabular format for incorporation. This thesis investigates the transfer of information between GIS and DistributionSystem 4.01 and demonstrates the extended display capabilities in the GIS environment. This research is implemented on a small scale, but is intended to highlight the need for standardization and automatic integration of these systems as well as others that are fundamental to the effective management of electrical distribution systems. / Master of Science

Future all-electric warships with an integrated power system (IPS) are capable of unlocking large amounts of power dedicated to propulsion and redirecting this power for service loads, weapon loads, and other loads. The IPS for all-electric ships combines the power generation system, electric propulsion system, power distribution system, and power control and management system all together. The move to IPS design will significantly improve efficiency, effectiveness, and survivability. To meet the needs of the US Navy, enhancing survivability by reducing susceptibility to damage, a IPS prefers decentralized reconfiguration system is preferred for IPS instead of traditional reconfiguration techniques used for terrestrial power grids. A multi-agent system (MAS) is a loosely coupled network composed of several agents. These agents interact with their environments and communicate with each other to solve problems that are beyond the individual capabilities or knowledge of each single agent. Because of its decentralized feature and lack of a global control feature, MAS appears to be the best candidate for IPS reconfiguration. This research work proposes a new model of an IPS, based on the Naval Combat Survivability, DC Distribution Test-bed (NCS DCDT). The new model combines the electric power generation system, electric propulsion system, and AC-DC zonal distribution system. To decrease the probability of distribution zones losing power, the new model modifies original design of the zonal distribution system in NCS DCDT. Another main endeavor of this research work is to design a MAS for reconfiguration of an IPS with AC-DC zonal distribution system. The MAS consists of three sub-MAS, named power generation MAS, propulsion MAS, and distribution MAS, and includes forty-one different agents which are instances of nineteen different abstract agent classes. The MAS is implemented with JAVA/JADE software and simulated on a platform of JADE 3.4.1 and JAVA jdk 1.5.0_08. Simulation results show that the MAS can execute reconfiguration functions such as fault area isolation, automatic switching, and load shedding.

Manufacturer-specific models of wind turbines are favored for use in wind power interconnection studies. While they are detailed and accurate, their usages are limited to the terms of the non-disclosure agreement, thus stifling model sharing. The primary objective of the work proposed is to develop universal manufacturer-independent wind power plant models that can be shared, used, and improved without any restrictions by project developers, manufacturers, and engineers. Each of these models includes representations of general turbine aerodynamics, the mechanical drive-train, and the electrical characteristics of the generator and converter, as well as the control systems typically used. In order to determine how realistic model performance is, the performance of the one of the models (doubly fed induction generator model) has been validated using real-world wind power plant data. This work also documents selected applications of these models. / text

This work proposes a model for the HVDC transmission system of the Madeira River Complex, which is developed using PSCAD/EMTDC and based on the design provided by the Energy Research Company (EPE) during the granting concession stage. The implemented model is evaluated by comparing the simulation results and actual data regarding events that occurred in the National Interconnected System (SIN) involving the complex. The Madeira River HVDC system is rated at 7,100 MW, being responsible for transmitting the power generated by the hydropower plants of Santo AntÃnio and Jirau, which are close to the city of Porto Velho, to local load centers and southeastern Brazil, thus reaching the Araraquara substation in the state of SÃo Paulo through two 2,350 km lines. The system consists of two back-to-back (antiparallel) blocks rated at 400 MW each using capacitor-commutated converter stations in order to supply the load comprising the states of RondÃnia and Acre, and also two bipoles of 3,150 MW each, which are constituted by 12-pulse line-commutated current source converters so that power can be transmitted to southeastern Brazil. The results of comparison between actual data and the simulation tests have shown that the percentage difference between the evaluated quantities are within acceptable limits, while it can be concluded that the proposed model is properly validated. / Este trabalho propÃe um modelo do sistema de transmissÃo HVDC do Complexo do Rio Madeira, desenvolvido no ambiente PSCAD/EMTDC e baseado no projeto disponibilizado pela Empresa de Pesquisa EnergÃtica - EPE na fase de concessÃo das instalaÃÃes. O modelo construÃdo à avaliado por meio da comparaÃÃo entre os resultados de simulaÃÃo e os dados reais de ocorrÃncias no Sistema Interligado Nacional - SIN que envolveram o complexo. O HVDC do Rio Madeira possui capacidade total de conversÃo de 7.100 MW, e transporta a energia gerada nas usinas hidroelÃtricas de Santo AntÃnio e Jirau, prÃximas a Porto Velho, para centros de carga locais e para o sudeste do Brasil, chegando à subestaÃÃo Araraquara, no estado de SÃo Paulo, atravÃs de duas linhas em corrente contÃnua de 2.350 km de extensÃo. O sistema à composto por dois blocos back-to-back (anti-paralelo) de 400 MW cada, com estaÃÃes conversoras comutadas por capacitores, para atender as cargas dos estados de RondÃnia e Acre, e dois elos bipolares de 3.150 MW cada, constituÃdos de conversores fonte de corrente de 12 pulsos com comutaÃÃo natural de linha, para transmissÃo de energia para o sudeste do paÃs. Os resultados da comparaÃÃo entre os dados reais e a simulaÃÃo mostraram que as diferenÃas percentuais entre grandezas avaliadas se mantiveram dentro de limites satisfatÃrios, podendo-se concluir que o modelo construÃdo foi considerado validado.

This thesis is focused on voltage regulation in low voltage distribution system. It describes power management methods using photovoltaic inverters. The thesis describes the working PQ space of the inverter and the regulation characteristics of the active and reactive power in dependence on the voltage. The practical part focuses on the simulation of specific PQU control settings on the test models created in PSCAD. The model is used as a basis for real measurement. Outputs obtained from measurement and simulation are validated in the text. The last part of the thesis identifies limits for connecting resources with and without support.

Protection of both the wind plant and the interconnecting transmission system during short-circuit faults is imperative for maintaining system structural integrity and reliability. The circuit breakers and protective relays used to protect the power system during such events are designed based upon calculations of the current that will flow in the circuit during the fault. Sequence-network models of various power-system components, such as synchronous generators, transformers, transmission lines, etc., are often used to perform these calculations. However, there are no such models widely accepted for certain types of wind-turbine generators used in modern wind plants. The problem with developing sequence-network models of wind plants is that several different wind-turbine generator designs exist; yet, each exhibit very different short-circuit behavior. Therefore, a “one size fits all” approach is not appropriate for modeling wind plants, as has been the case for conventional power plants based on synchronous-generator technology. Further, many of the newer wind-turbine designs contain proprietary controls that affect the short-circuit behavior, and wind-turbine manufacturers are often not willing to disclose these controls. Thus, protection engineers do not have a standard or other well-established model for calculating short-circuit currents in power systems with wind plants. Therefore, the research described in this dissertation involves the development of such models for calculating short-circuit currents from wind-turbine generators. The focus of this dissertation is on the four existing wind-turbine generator designs (identified as Types 1 – 4). Only AC-transmission-interconnected wind-turbine generators are considered in this dissertation. The primary objective of this research is the development of sequence-network models, which are frequency-domain analysis tools, for each wind-turbine generator design. The time-domain behavior of each wind-turbine generator is thoroughly analyzed through transient simulations, experimental tests on scaled wind-turbine generator test beds, and solutions to the system dynamic equations. These time-domain analyses are used to support the development of the sequence-network models.

The present work studies the disturbances created in the electric system of a pumped storage power plant, which is an hydraulic generation facility where the machines can work as turbines or pumps, by the operation of a static frequency converter (SFC). The SFC is used for starting the synchronous machines at the station when in the pump mode. During the starting process several equipment is connected to the SFC being possible to get affected by the disturbances generated. These disturbances mainly include the creation of transient overvoltages during the commutation of the semiconductor devices of the SFC and the introduction of harmonics in the network currents and voltages. This work analyzes the possible effects of the SFC operation over the station equipment based on computer simulations. For this purpose, the complete system was modeled and the starting process simulated in a computer transient simulator program. The work begins with a general review of the effects of electric disturbances over high voltage equipment and in particular of the disturbances generated by power electronics conversion equipment. Then the models for the different kind of equipment present in the system are discussed and formulated. The control system that governs the operation of the SFC during the starting process is analyzed later as well as the operation conditions. Once the model of the system is set up, the harmonic analysis of the electric network is done by frequency domain and time domain methods. Time domain methods are also employed for the analysis of the commutation transient produced by the SFC operation. Finally, the simulation results are used to evaluate the impact of the SFC operation on the station equipment, especially on the generator step up transformer. / Master of Science

The high cost of grid extension to rural areas, often characterized by scattered communities with low load densities, requires the use of low cost electrification technologies to ensure economic viability. In Single Wire Earth Return (SWER) power distribution networks, the earth itself forms the current return path of the single phase system leading to significant cost savings on conductors, poles and poletop hardware compared to conventional systems. However, challenges exist in SWER with regard to earthing and safety as well as the dependence on earth conductivity to supply consumer loads. This work presents models for the optimal planning of SWER distribution networks. The earth return path is modeled as a conductor based on the Carson line model taking into consideration specific ground properties of the considered location. A load flow algorithm for radial SWER networks is subsequently formulated whereby both overhead line and ground voltages and currents are determined. First, heuristic planning models are developed based on the SWER load flow model. The objective of the heuristic models is to determine the optimum feeder configuration and overhead conductor subject to SWER load flow constraints and load growth over several time periods. Whereas the resulting solutions are good, they may not necessarily be globally optimum. Optimization models are then developed using mixed integer non-linear programming (MINLP) with the aim of obtaining global solutions to the SWER network planning problem. Since the MINLP formulations are limited to the accurate analysis of limited size networks, considerations and approximations for the analysis of larger networks are presented. The developed models are applied to a case study in Uganda to test their practical application. In addition, comparative studies are done to determine how the proposed optimization models compare with previous distribution planning models. The numerical analysis includes the impact of deterministic distributed generation on the SWER planning problem. Results showed consistent performance of the proposed heuristic and optimization models, which also compared well with conventional models. The optimization models gave more cost-effective solutions to the SWER planning problem than the heuristic models. However, the former models had higher computational cost than the latter. The inclusion of distributed generation allowed for cheaper network solutions to be obtained. The models are applicable to the planning of Single Wire Earth Return networks for isolated mini-grids, grid-extension to previously un-electrified rural areas as well as the upgrade of SWER feeders in existing installations. / <p>QC 20121207</p> / Sustainable Technological Development in the Lake Victoria Region

Biomass is one of the renewable energy sources being used widely for power generation. This research work includes developing a comprehensive model for a biomass based power generation system as well as analyzing the technical, economical, and environmental impacts. The research objectives include modeling of the system, stability studies, and sensitivity analysis using MATLAB/Simulink. A mathematical model for the gas turbine has been developed and successfully interconnected with the distribution network. Transient stability of the power system has been carried out for four bus and six bus test case systems. Maximum rotor speed deviation, oscillation duration, rotor angle, and mechanical power have been taken as the stability indicators to analyze the system characteristics. Additionally, the sensitivity of the system to the changes of gas turbine parameters has been investigated under balanced and unbalanced fault scenarios. The economical and environmental impacts of the biomass have been analyzed using HOMER software developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The net present cost of the four biomass resources namely agricultural resources, forest residues, animal waste, and energy crops were obtained and the comparison of the costs of the biomass fuels as well as the diesel have been carried out. To investigate the environmental impact, carbon emissions of the different biomass fuels have been explored using HOMER.