The goal of this thesis is to develop a new, fast, adaptive load flow algorithm that "automatically alternates" numerical methods including Newton-Raphson method, Gauss-Seidel method and Gauss method for a load flow run to achieve less run time. Unlike the proposed method, the traditional load flow analysis uses only one numerical method at a time. This adaptive algorithm performs all the computation for finding the bus voltage angles and magnitudes, real and reactive powers for the given generation and load values, while keeping track of the proximity to convergence of a solution. This work focuses on finding the algorithm that uses multiple numerical techniques, rather than investigating programming techniques and programming languages. The convergence time is compared with those from using each of the numerical techniques. The proposed method is implemented on the IEEE 39-bus system with different contingencies and the solutions obtained are verified with PowerWorld Simulator, a commercial software for load flow analysis.

Neste trabalho abordamos o equipamento UPFC, pertencente à família FACTS, adequado ao estudo do regime permanente de sistemas de potência, sendo descritos modelos com diferentes níveis de detalhamento, assim como sua associação com a rede elétrica. Uma proposição alternativa para o modelamento do UPFC foi apresentada, sendo discutidos seus aspectos e particularidades por meio da análise nodal modificada (ANM), cujo tratamento permite obter a corrente nos conversores série de maneira direta. Desenvolvemos um programa de otimização de fluxo de potência, utilizando o método dos pontos interiores, sendo também elaborado um programa de otimização baseado no método Quase-Newton, permitindo uma análise comparativa de métodos e de modelos. Várias condições operativas de uma rede de pequeno porte, com apenas quatro barras e de uma rede de médio porte, com 39 barras, foram estudadas do ponto de vista de otimização e de limites de tensões e fluxos, observando-se a influência do UPFC no controle de variáveis da rede elétrica. / In this work we deal with the UPFC device which belongs to the FACTS family and is suitable to study the steady state of power systems. We describe models with different levels of detail, as well as their association with the electric network. One alternative proposition to the model of the UPFC is shown. The aspects and particularities are discussed by means of modified nodal analysis (ANM), which treatment allows us to get directly the current in series converters. We developed an optimization program of load flow, using the interior points method, and also worked out an optimization program based on the Quasi-Newton method, allowing a comparative analysis of methods and models. Several operating conditions of a small size network, with only 4 bars and of a medium size network, with 39 bars, were studied from the point of view of the optimization and of the voltage and of the flow limits, observing the influence of the UPFC on control of variables of the electric network.

Neste trabalho abordamos o equipamento UPFC, pertencente à família FACTS, adequado ao estudo do regime permanente de sistemas de potência, sendo descritos modelos com diferentes níveis de detalhamento, assim como sua associação com a rede elétrica. Uma proposição alternativa para o modelamento do UPFC foi apresentada, sendo discutidos seus aspectos e particularidades por meio da análise nodal modificada (ANM), cujo tratamento permite obter a corrente nos conversores série de maneira direta. Desenvolvemos um programa de otimização de fluxo de potência, utilizando o método dos pontos interiores, sendo também elaborado um programa de otimização baseado no método Quase-Newton, permitindo uma análise comparativa de métodos e de modelos. Várias condições operativas de uma rede de pequeno porte, com apenas quatro barras e de uma rede de médio porte, com 39 barras, foram estudadas do ponto de vista de otimização e de limites de tensões e fluxos, observando-se a influência do UPFC no controle de variáveis da rede elétrica. / In this work we deal with the UPFC device which belongs to the FACTS family and is suitable to study the steady state of power systems. We describe models with different levels of detail, as well as their association with the electric network. One alternative proposition to the model of the UPFC is shown. The aspects and particularities are discussed by means of modified nodal analysis (ANM), which treatment allows us to get directly the current in series converters. We developed an optimization program of load flow, using the interior points method, and also worked out an optimization program based on the Quasi-Newton method, allowing a comparative analysis of methods and models. Several operating conditions of a small size network, with only 4 bars and of a medium size network, with 39 bars, were studied from the point of view of the optimization and of the voltage and of the flow limits, observing the influence of the UPFC on control of variables of the electric network.

As novas tecnologias FACTS aplicadas ao sistema de transmissão, com base em eletrônica de potência, podem também ser úteis à distribuição. Para tal é preciso conduzir um procedimento de consolidação da utilização e do desempenho destas, para sua aplicação sem riscos. Neste trabalho, dois aspectos serão contemplados. O primeiro se refere à aplicação do dispositivo FACTS atuando como um capacitor série. Em se tendo controle de módulo e da fase da tensão inserida em série com a linha pode-se fazê-la comportar-se como uma queda em uma reatância série capacitiva ou indutiva. O controle dessa reatância série (aumentando/diminuindo) permitirá a aplicação do conceito de compensação série em qualquer ponto do sistema de distribuição, provendo benefícios de um controle contínuo da tensão e também do controle do fluxo de carga no sistema independente da corrente. O segundo aspecto refere-se ao uso dos dispositivos na conexão de alimentadores controlando a potência ativa entre eles. Para esta operação outro dispositivo UPFC, com conceito similar ao descrito acima, entretanto atuando na fase da tensão entre 2 barras, comporta-se como um transformador defasador com variação contínua de ?taps?, podendo controlar a potência ativa entre os alimentadores. A aplicação destas tecnologias propiciarão vários benefícios para a expansão da distribuição tais como, flexibilização do uso da rede, interligação de alimentadores permitindo manobras de blocos de energia sem ?pisca?, ajuste contínuo do suporte de reativos durante a operação, controle dinâmico do fluxo de potência. O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar a aplicabilidade da tecnologia FACTS e estender este conceito para aplicação em sistemas de distribuição e conduzir simulações digitais em redes de distribuição (15kV) identificando o desempenho e os benefícios atingidos. O programa de simulação utilizado é o ATP (Alternative Transients Program). / The new FACTS technologies applied to the transmission system, based on power electronics, can also be useful to the distribution. For that, it is necessary to drive a procedure to consolidate the use and the performance for their application without risks. In this work two aspects will be approached. The first refers to the application of a FACTS device acting as series compensator. This device will be able to control the voltage in module and phase in order to act as a voltage drop in a serie reactance with capacitive or inductive features. The control of this series reactance (increasing/ decreasing) will allow the application of series compensation concept to any point of the distribution system, providing the benefits of continuous control of the voltage added to the load flow control in the system independent of the current. The second aspect refers to its use in the connection of two feeders controlling the active power between them. For this operation other device, UPFC, with similar concept as described previously, acts mainly in the phase of the injected voltage in the line, performing as a phase-shift with continuous taps variation and is able to control the active power flow between feeders. The application of this technology will provide several benefits for the distribution expansion, such as, a greater flexibility in the use of the network, connection of feeders without load flow interruption, continuous adjust of reactive power during the operation and dynamic control of power flow. The purpose of this work is to study the applicability of the FACTS technology, to extend this concept for the application in the distribution system by using digital simulations in distribution network up to 15kV identifying the performance and the reached benefits.

O objetivo de um problema de Fluxo de Potência Ótimo é determinar o estado de um sistema de transmissão de energia elétrica que otimize um dado desempenho do sistema, e satisfaça suas restrições físicas e operacionais. O problema de Fluxo de Potência Ótimo é modelado como um problema de programação não linear com variáveis discretas e contínuas. Na maioria das abordagens da literatura para a resolução de problemas de Fluxo de Potência Ótimo, os controles discretos são modelados como variáveis contínuas. Estas formulações estão longe da realidade de um sistema elétrico pois alguns controles podem somente ser ajustados por passos discretos. Este trabalho apresenta um método para tratar as variáveis discretas do problema de Fluxo de Potência Ótimo. Uma função, que penaliza a função objetivo quando as variáveis discretas assumem valores não discretos, é apresentada. Ao incorporar esta função na função objetivo, um problema de programação não linear com somente variáveis contínuas é obtido e a solução desse problema é equivalente à solução do problema original, que contém variáveis discretas e contínuas. O problema de programação não linear é resolvido pelo Método de Pontos Interiores com Filtro. Experimentos numéricos com os sistemas elétricos IEEE 14, 30, 118 e 300 Barras comprovam que a abordagem proposta é eficiente na resolução de problemas de Fluxo de Potência Ótimo. / The aim of solving the Optimal Power Flow problem is to determine the state of an electric power transmission system that optimizes a given system performance, while satisfying its physical and operating constraints. The Optimal Power Flow problem is modeled as a large-scale mixed-discrete nonlinear programming problem. In most techniques existing in the literature to solve the Optimal Power Flow problems, the discrete controls are modeled as continuous variables. These formulations are unrealistic, as some controls can be set only to values taken from a given set of discrete values. This study proposes a method for handling the discrete variables of the Optimal Power Flow problem. A function, which penalizes the objective function when discrete variables assume non-discrete values, is presented. By including this penalty function into the objective function, a nonlinear programming problem with only continuous variables is obtained and the solution of this problem is equivalent to the solution of the initial problem that contains discrete and continuous variables. The nonlinear programming problem is solved by a Interior-Point Method with filter line-search. Numerical tests using the IEEE 14, 30, 118 and 300-Bus test systems indicate that the proposed approach is efficient in the resolution of OPF problems.

L’introduction massive des sources de génération distribuée est un des challenges le plus importants dans les réseaux de distribution intelligents (aussi connus comme Smartgrids). Pour augmenter le taux de pénétration des sources de génération distribuées cette thèse se projette sur un scénario futur où les réseaux de distribution seront maillés. Afin de proposer des solutions qui faciliteront une migration vers de réseaux de distribution plus maillés, les deux objectifs majeurs qu’ont été fixés pour cette thèse sont:- L’étude d’une solution capable de moduler le flux de puissance (actif et réactif indépendamment) entre deux réseaux de distribution.- Par ailleurs, la solution évaluée doit aussi être capable d’améliorer la qualité de l’énergie dans un des réseaux ou d’empêcher la propagation des perturbations d’un réseau à l’autre.Pour satisfaire le double défi de contrôler le flux de puissance et la qualité de l’énergie simultanément, cette thèse propose l’utilisation d’un Unified Power Line Conditioner (UPLC). Compte tenu des capacités exceptionnelles de l’UPLC, l’ambition principale de cette thèse réside à explorer le potentiel et l’intérêt de l’utiliser pour interconnecter deux réseaux de distribution. Il ne faut néanmoins pas oublier que l’UPLC n’est pas le seul appareil à pouvoir combiner les fonctions de contrôle de flux de puissance et d’amélioration de la qualité électrique. Il existe, également, un appareil appelé Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) qui est capable de réaliser les mêmes fonctions ou similaires. Dû à l’importance de ce fait, une partie de la thèse est consacré à la comparaison entre l’UPLC et le MVDC. / Large scale penetration of distributed generation is one of the most important challenges that Smartgrids will need to deal with. Among the possible solutions to increase the amount of distributed generation, there is one that consists in meshing the existing looped (but radially operated) distribution-grid topologies. In order to migrate towards meshed and actively operated topologies, this PhD proposes:- The study a solution that is able to modulate power-flow (active and reactive powers independently) in the ties between distribution grids.- The analyzed solution must also be able to improve power-quality or to avoid propagation of power quality disturbances from one grid to the other.In order to satisfy the double challenge of controlling power-flow and power quality simultaneously, this PhD proposes the use of a Unified Power Line Conditioner (UPLC). Considering the outstanding functionalities of UPLC, the main ambition of the PhD is to explore the potential and the interest of using such an apparatus for interconnecting MV distribution grids.It must nevertheless consider that UPLC is not the only a device capable of combining these functions. A device named Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) can also deal with these multiple objectives. One part of the PhD is thus committed to a comprehensive comparison between both apparatus.

O objetivo de um problema de Fluxo de Potência Ótimo é determinar o estado de um sistema de transmissão de energia elétrica que otimize um dado desempenho do sistema, e satisfaça suas restrições físicas e operacionais. O problema de Fluxo de Potência Ótimo é modelado como um problema de programação não linear com variáveis discretas e contínuas. Na maioria das abordagens da literatura para a resolução de problemas de Fluxo de Potência Ótimo, os controles discretos são modelados como variáveis contínuas. Estas formulações estão longe da realidade de um sistema elétrico pois alguns controles podem somente ser ajustados por passos discretos. Este trabalho apresenta um método para tratar as variáveis discretas do problema de Fluxo de Potência Ótimo. Uma função, que penaliza a função objetivo quando as variáveis discretas assumem valores não discretos, é apresentada. Ao incorporar esta função na função objetivo, um problema de programação não linear com somente variáveis contínuas é obtido e a solução desse problema é equivalente à solução do problema original, que contém variáveis discretas e contínuas. O problema de programação não linear é resolvido pelo Método de Pontos Interiores com Filtro. Experimentos numéricos com os sistemas elétricos IEEE 14, 30, 118 e 300 Barras comprovam que a abordagem proposta é eficiente na resolução de problemas de Fluxo de Potência Ótimo. / The aim of solving the Optimal Power Flow problem is to determine the state of an electric power transmission system that optimizes a given system performance, while satisfying its physical and operating constraints. The Optimal Power Flow problem is modeled as a large-scale mixed-discrete nonlinear programming problem. In most techniques existing in the literature to solve the Optimal Power Flow problems, the discrete controls are modeled as continuous variables. These formulations are unrealistic, as some controls can be set only to values taken from a given set of discrete values. This study proposes a method for handling the discrete variables of the Optimal Power Flow problem. A function, which penalizes the objective function when discrete variables assume non-discrete values, is presented. By including this penalty function into the objective function, a nonlinear programming problem with only continuous variables is obtained and the solution of this problem is equivalent to the solution of the initial problem that contains discrete and continuous variables. The nonlinear programming problem is solved by a Interior-Point Method with filter line-search. Numerical tests using the IEEE 14, 30, 118 and 300-Bus test systems indicate that the proposed approach is efficient in the resolution of OPF problems.

abstract: Nowadays, the widespread introduction of distributed generators (DGs) brings great challenges to the design, planning, and reliable operation of the power system. Therefore, assessing the capability of a distribution network to accommodate renewable power generations is urgent and necessary. In this respect, the concept of hosting capacity (HC) is generally accepted by engineers to evaluate the reliability and sustainability of the system with high penetration of DGs. For HC calculation, existing research provides simulation-based methods which are not able to find global optimal. Others use OPF (optimal power flow) based methods where too many constraints prevent them from obtaining the solution exactly. They also can not get global optimal solution. Due to this situation, I proposed a new methodology to overcome the shortcomings. First, I start with an optimization problem formulation and provide a flexible objective function to satisfy different requirements. Power flow equations are the basic rule and I transfer them from the commonly used polar coordinate to the rectangular coordinate. Due to the operation criteria, several constraints are incrementally added. I aim to preserve convexity as much as possible so that I can obtain optimal solution. Second, I provide the geometric view of the convex problem model. The process to find global optimal can be visualized clearly. Then, I implement segmental optimization tool to speed up the computation. A large network is able to be divided into segments and calculated in parallel computing where the results stay the same. Finally, the robustness of my methodology is demonstrated by doing extensive simulations regarding IEEE distribution networks (e.g. 8-bus, 16-bus, 32-bus, 64-bus, 128-bus). Thus, it shows that the proposed method is verified to calculate accurate hosting capacity and ensure to get global optimal solution. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Electrical Engineering 2018

abstract: Synthetic power system test cases offer a wealth of new data for research and development purposes, as well as an avenue through which new kinds of analyses and questions can be examined. This work provides both a methodology for creating and validating synthetic test cases, as well as a few use-cases for how access to synthetic data enables otherwise impossible analysis. First, the question of how synthetic cases may be generated in an automatic manner, and how synthetic samples should be validated to assess whether they are sufficiently ``real'' is considered. Transmission and distribution levels are treated separately, due to the different nature of the two systems. Distribution systems are constructed by sampling distributions observed in a dataset from the Netherlands. For transmission systems, only first-order statistics, such as generator limits or line ratings are sampled statistically. The task of constructing an optimal power flow case from the sample sets is left to an optimization problem built on top of the optimal power flow formulation. Secondly, attention is turned to some examples where synthetic models are used to inform analysis and modeling tasks. Co-simulation of transmission and multiple distribution systems is considered, where distribution feeders are allowed to couple transmission substations. Next, a distribution power flow method is parametrized to better account for losses. Numerical values for the parametrization can be statistically supported thanks to the ability to generate thousands of feeders on command. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Electrical Engineering 2019

One of the biggest threats to the power systems as critical infrastructures is large-scale blackouts resulting from cascading failures (CF) in the grid. The ongoing shift in energy portfolio due to ever-increasing penetration of renewable energy sources (RES) may drive the electric grid closer to its operational limits and introduce a large amount of uncertainty coming from their stochastic nature. One worrisome change is the increase in CFs. The CF simulation models in the literature do not allow consideration of RES penetration in studying the grid vulnerability. In this dissertation, we have developed tools and models to evaluate the impact of RE penetration on grid vulnerability to CF. We modeled uncertainty injected from different sources by analyzing actual high-resolution data from North American utilities. Next, we proposed two CF simulation models based on simplified DC power flow and full AC power flow to investigate system behavior under different operating conditions. Simulations show a dramatic improvement in the line flow uncertainty estimation based on the proposed model compared to the simplified DC OPF model. Furthermore, realistic assumptions on the integration of RE resources have been made to enhance our simulation technique. The proposed model is benchmarked against the historical blackout data and widely used models in the literature showing similar statistical patterns of blackout size.