abstract: A robust, fast and accurate protection system based on pilot protection concept was developed previously and a few alterations in that algorithm were made to make it faster and more reliable and then was applied to smart distribution grids to verify the results for it. The new 10 sample window method was adapted into the pilot protection program and its performance for the test bed system operation was tabulated. Following that the system comparison between the hardware results for the same algorithm and the simulation results were compared. The development of the dual slope percentage differential method, its comparison with the 10 sample average window pilot protection system and the effects of CT saturation on the pilot protection system are also shown in this thesis. The implementation of the 10 sample average window pilot protection system is done to multiple distribution grids like Green Hub v4.3, IEEE 34, LSSS loop and modified LSSS loop. Case studies of these multi-terminal model are presented, and the results are also shown in this thesis. The result obtained shows that the new algorithm for the previously proposed protection system successfully identifies fault on the test bed and the results for both hardware and software simulations match and the response time is approximately less than quarter of a cycle which is fast as compared to the present commercial protection system and satisfies the FREEDM system requirement. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Electrical Engineering 2014

abstract: This thesis provides a cost to benefit assessment of the proposed next generation distribution system, the Future Renewable Electric Energy Distribution Management (FREEDM) system. In this thesis, a probabilistic study is conducted to determine the payback period for an investment made in the FREEDM distribution system. The stochastic study will help in performing a detailed analysis in estimating the probability density function and statistics associated with the payback period. This thesis also identifies several parameters associated with the FREEDM system, which are used in the cost benefit study to evaluate the investment and several direct and indirect benefits. Different topologies are selected to represent the FREEDM test bed. Considering the cost of high speed fault isolation devices, the topology design is selected based on the minimum number of fault isolation devices constrained by enhanced reliability. A case study is also performed to assess the economic impact of energy storage devices in the solid state transformers so that the fault isolation devices may be replaced by conventional circuit breakers. A reliability study is conducted on the FREEDM distribution system to examine the customer centric reliability index, System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI). It is observed that the SAIFI was close to 0.125 for the FREEDM distribution system. In addition, a comparison study is performed based on the SAIFI for a representative U.S. distribution system and the FREEDM distribution system. The payback period is also determined by adopting a theoretical approach and the results are compared with the Monte Carlo simulation outcomes to understand the variation in the payback period. It is observed that the payback period is close to 60 years but if an annual rebate is considered, the payback period reduces to 20 years. This shows that the FREEDM system has a significant potential which cannot be overlooked. Several direct and indirect benefits arising from the FREEDM system have also been discussed in this thesis. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Electrical Engineering 2016

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This thesis presents a design methodology for the dual active bridge converter, that includes the influence of the nominal phase-shift angle in the behavior of the DAB converter for entire power and voltage ranges. The analysis presented focus on two important performance parameters of the DAB converter: the nonactive power and the limits of ZVS operation. The study of these two parameters results in a prior knowledge of the qualitative characteristics of the conduction and switching losses, respectively. Using this knowledge it is possible to optimize the converter operation considering the priorities of application performance. The experimental results were performed for three different projects nominal angles and three different input voltages for the whole load range, and they prove the feasibility of the proposed analysis. The analyse of the limit ZVS area took into account the switches intrinsic capacitances, and the dead time between the complementary switches. The DAB converter placed at a three-stage structure applied to solid state transformer, has voltage ripple at low frequency in their bus voltages because of the connection into the distribution network. Thus, it becomes possible to apply a low frequency burst mode modulation, without needing to oversize the bus capacitors. Three burst mode modulations are evaluated in simulation. The modulation which performed better results in simulation was implemented in practice, and the experimental results showed significant improvement in the converter´s efficiency when it is operating in light loads. Finally, a discussion of the parameters to be evaluated for the DAB converter´s design is proposed. / Esta tese de doutorado apresenta uma metodologia de projeto do conversor DAB, a qual inclui a influência do ângulo nominal de defasagem no comportamento do conversor DAB para toda faixa de potência e de tensão. Além disso, as análises focam em dois importantes parâmetros de desempenho do conversor DAB: a potência não ativa e os limites de operação com ZVS. O estudo destes dois parâmetros resulta em um conhecimento prévio das características qualitativas das perdas de condução e comutação, respectivamente. Através deste conhecimento é possível otimizar a operação do conversor considerando as prioridades de desempenho da aplicação. Os resultados experimentais, que comprovam as análises referentes à potência não ativa e aos limites de operação com ZVS, são realizados para três diferentes projetos de ângulos nominais e três diferentes tensões de entrada, para toda faixa de operação de carga. O estudo dos pontos de perda de ZVS considerou as capacitâncias intrínsecas dos interruptores e o tempo morto entre os interruptores complementares. O conversor DAB funcionando em uma estrutura de três estágios, aplicado a transformadores de estado sólido, apresenta ondulação de tensão em baixa frequência em seus barramentos, provinente da conexão da estrutura na rede de distribuição. Deste modo, torna-se possível a aplicação de modulações de baixa frequência do tipo burst, sem a necessidade de sobredimensionamento dos capacitores. Três modulações são realizadas e avaliadas em simulação. A modulação que apresentou melhores resultados em simulação foi implementada na prática, e os resultados experimentais mostraram melhora significativa da eficiência do conversor em baixas cargas. Por fim, uma discussão sobre as considerações a serem avaliadas nos parâmetros de projeto do conversor DAB é proposta.