The objective of the proposed research is to develop a cost-effective power flow controller to improve the utilization and reliability of the existing transmission, sub-transmission, and distribution networks. Over the last two decades, electricity consumption and generation have continually grown at an annual rate of around 2.5%. At the same time, investments in the Transmission and Distribution (T&D) infrastructure have steadily declined. Further, it has become increasingly difficult and expensive to build new power lines. As a result, the aging power-grid has become congested and is under stress, resulting in compromised reliability and higher energy costs. In such an environment it becomes important that existing assets are used effectively to achieve highest efficiency. System reliability is sacrosanct and cannot be compromised. Utility system planners are moving from radial towards networked systems to achieve higher reliability, especially under contingency conditions. While enhancing reliability, this has degraded the controllability of the network, as current flow along individual lines can no longer be controlled. The transfer capacity of the system gets limited by the first line that reaches the thermal capacity, even when majority of the lines are operating at a fraction of their capacity. The utilization of the system gets further degraded as the lines are operated with spare capacity to sustain overloads under contingencies. Market efficiency is also sub-optimal, with congestion on key corridors restricting the low-cost generators to connect to the end users, resulting in higher electricity prices for the consumers. The proposed technology offers the capability to realize a controllable meshed-network, with the ability to utilize static and dynamic capacity of the grid to provide system-wide benefits, including- increased line and system-capacity utilization, increased reliability, improved operation under contingencies, and rapid implementation. It would allow a broadening of the energy market, permitting owners to direct how energy flows on their wires, and making it easier to connect to new sources of generation.

The object of this research is to optimize the overall power system performance using FACTS devices. Particularly, it is intended to improve the reliability, and the performance of the power system considering steady state operating condition as well as the system subjected to small and large disturbances. The methodology proposed to achieve this goal corresponds to an enhanced particle swarm optimizer (Enhanced-PSO) that is proven in this work to have several advantages, in terms of accuracy and computational effort, as compared with other existing methods. Once the performance of the Enhanced PSO is verified, a multi-stage PSO-based optimization framework is proposed for optimizing the power system reliability (N-1 contingency criterion). The algorithm finds optimal settings for present infrastructure (generator outputs, transformers tap ratios and capacitor banks settings) as well as optimal control references for distributed static series compensators (DSSC) and optimal locations, sizes and control settings for static compensator (STATCOM) units. Finally, a two-stage optimization algorithm is proposed to improve the power system performance in steady state conditions and when small and large perturbations are applied to the system. In this case, the algorithm provides optimal control references for DSSC modules, optimal location and sizes for capacitor banks, and optimal location, sizes and control parameters for STATCOM units (internal and external controllers), so that the loadability and the damping of the system are maximized at minimum cost. Simulation results throughout this research show a significant improvement of the power system reliability and performance after the system is optimized.

“Hardware in the Loop” (HIL) testing is widely used in the automotive industry. The sophisticated electronic control units used for vehicle control are usually tested and evaluated using HIL-simulations. The HIL increases the degree of realistic testing of any system. Moreover, it helps in designing the structure and control of the system under test so that it works effectively in the situations that will be encountered in the system. Due to the size and the complexity of interaction within a power network, most research is based on pure simulation. To validate the performance of physical generator or protection system, most testing is constrained to very simple power network. This research, however, examines a method to test power system hardware within a complex virtual environment using the concept of the HIL. The HIL testing for electronic control units and power systems protection device can be easily performed at signal level. But performance of power systems equipments, such as distributed generation systems can not be evaluated at signal level using HIL testing. The HIL testing for power systems equipments is termed here as ‘Power Network in the Loop’ (PNIL). PNIL testing can only be performed at power level and requires a power amplifier that can amplify the simulation signal to the power level. A power network is divided in two parts. One part represents the Power Network Under Test (PNUT) and the other part represents the rest of the complex network. The complex network is simulated in real time simulator (RTS) while the PNUT is connected to the Voltage Source Converter (VSC) based power amplifier. Two way interaction between the simulator and amplifier is performed using analog to digital (A/D) and digital to analog (D/A) converters. The power amplifier amplifies the current or voltage signal of simulator to the power level and establishes the power level interaction between RTS and PNUT. In the first part of this thesis, design and control of a VSC based power amplifier that can amplify a broadband voltage signal is presented. A new Hybrid Discontinuous Control method is proposed for the amplifier. This amplifier can be used for several power systems applications. In the first part of the thesis, use of this amplifier in DSTATCOM and UPS applications are presented. In the later part of this thesis the solution of network in the loop testing with the help of this amplifier is reported. The experimental setup for PNIL testing is built in the laboratory of Queensland University of Technology and the feasibility of PNIL testing has been evaluated using the experimental studies. In the last section of this thesis a universal load with power regenerative capability is designed. This universal load is used to test the DG system using PNIL concepts. This thesis is composed of published/submitted papers that form the chapters in this dissertation. Each paper has been published or submitted during the period of candidature. Chapter 1 integrates all the papers to provide a coherent view of wide bandwidth switching amplifier and its used in different power systems applications specially for the solution of power systems testing using PNIL.

[Truncated abstract] This thesis studies current sensing techniques that are designed to meet the requirements for the next generation of power converters. Power converters are often standardised, so that they can be replaced with a model from another manufacturer without an expensive system redesign. For this reason, the power converter market is highly competitive and relies on cutting-edge technology, which increases power conversion efficiency and power density. High power density and conversion efficiency reduce the system cost, and thus make the power converter more attractive to the customer. Current sensing is a vital task in power converters, where the current information is required for monitoring and control purposes. In order to achieve the above-mentioned goals, existing current sensing techniques have to be improved in terms of cost, power loss and size. Simultaneously, current information needs to be increasingly available in digital form to enable digital control, and to allow the digital transmission of the current information to a centralised monitoring and control unit. All this requires the output signal of a particular current sensing technique to be acquired by an analogue-to-digital converter, and thus the output voltage of the current sensor has to be sufficiently large. This thesis thoroughly reviews contemporary current sensing techniques and identifies suitable techniques that have the potential to meet the performance requirements of the next-generation of power converters. After the review chapter, three novel current sensing techniques are proposed and investigated: 1) The usefulness of the resistive voltage drop across a copper trace, which carries the current to be measured, to detect electrical current is evaluated. Simulations and experiments confirm that this inherently lossless technique can measure high currents at reasonable measurement bandwidth, good accuracy and low cost if the sense wires are connected properly. 2) Based on the mutual inductance theory found during the investigation of the copper trace current sense method, a modification of the well-known lossless inductor current sense method is proposed and analysed. This modification involves the use of a coupled sense winding that significantly improves the frequency response. Hence, it becomes possible to accurately monitor the output current of a power converter with the benefits of being lossless, exhibiting good sensitivity and having small size. 3) A transformer based DC current sense method is developed especially for digitally controlled power converters. This method provides high accuracy, large bandwidth, electrical isolation and very low thermal drift. Overall, it achieves better performance than many contemporary available Hall Effect sensors. At the same time, the cost of this current sensor is significantly lower than that of Hall Effect current sensors. A patent application has been submitted. .... The current sensing techniques have been studied by theory, hardware experiments and simulations. In addition, the suitability of the detection techniques for mass production has been considered in order to access the ability to provide systems at low-cost.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The digital control of UPS systems has been difficult in the past due to a lack of DSP technology. It was for this reason not possible to establishing the necessary control to regulate the voltages and currents of the UPS systems. Recent advances in DSP technology have however provided the means of establishing central control of the UPS system as well as incorporating more complex closed-loop control algorithms by utilising a single floating-point DSP. Closed-loop control strategies are investigated and the central control of a line-interactive UPS is established in this study. Both the status of the physical system as well as various system parameters are controlled. The system both regulates and charges the storage batteries when the main utility supply is maintained. In the event that the utility fails, the converter instantaneously changes power flow towards the load with the aim of maintaining an uninterrupted voltage supply. Several closed-loop deadbeat based control strategies are investigated for the regulation of the inductor current. A solution for the regulation of the DC-link is also developed and implemented. Furthermore, an intensive study is done on the regulation of the voltage supplied to the load in the event that the utility supply fails. The investigation is initially approached by considering classical control theory. Although these control strategies provided sufficient results, a predictive strategy that is based on the physical conditions of the switching converter is finally investigated to establish closed loop control of the output voltage. This resulted in a high-bandwidth voltage controller capable of maintaining control under a wide-array of load conditions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die digitale beheer van UPS stelsels was moeilik in the verlede as gevolg van 'n gebrek aan DSP tegnologie. Dit was vir hierdie rede nie moontlik om beheer te kon bewerkstelling ten einde die spannings and strome in the UPS stelsels te kon reguleer nie. Onlangse vordering in DSP tegnologie het egter dit moontlik gemaak om sentrale beheer van die UPS stelsel te bewerkstellig sowel as om meer komplekse geslote lus beheer algoritmes te inkorporeer met behulp van 'n enkele DSP. Geslote lus beheer strategiëe word ondersoek en die sentrale beheer van die line-interaktiewe UPS word bewerkstellig in hierdie studie. Beide die huidige toestand van die fisiese stelsel sowel as die verskeie parameters word beheer. Die stelsel beide laai en reguleer die batterye terwyl die hooftoevoer onderhou word. In die geval dat die hooftoevoer faal, word die omsetter se rigting van drywingsvloei verander om die las te voorsien van 'n ononderbroke spannings toevoer. Verskeie geslote-lus “deadbeat” beheer strategiëe word ondersoek vir die regulasie van die induktor stroom. 'n Oplossing vir die regulasie van die GS-koppervlak word ook ontwikkel en geïmplementeer. Verder word 'n intensiewe studie gedoen op regulasie van die spanning wat aan die las gevoer word in die geval dat die hooftoevoer faal. Hierdie ondersoek word aanvanklik benader deur klassieke beheer teorie te bestudeer. Alhoewel hierdie beheer strategiëe voldoene resultate gebied het, was 'n voorspel beheerstrategie gebaseer op die fisiese toestand van die omsetter finaal ondersoek. Die resultaat is 'n hoë-bandwydte spannings beheerder wat daartoe instaat is om beheer te handhaaf onder 'n verskeidenheid van lastoestande.

Este trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento e adaptação de técnicas para minimizar os efeitos das variações de carga e de frequência da rede em controladores repetitivos aplicados a filtros ativos de potencia. Para minimizar os efeitos provenientes de sinais aperiódicos decorrentes da conexão ou desconexão de cargas não lineares é elaborada uma técnica que diferencia cargas lineares de não lineares. Esta técnica opera de forma a só reinicializar o controlador quando o erro devido ao transitório for de valor considerável ou quando ocorrer a transição de carga não linear para linear. Também é desenvolvido um algoritmo de adaptação do ganho do controlador repetitivo baseado em uma função de adaptação sigmóide, com intuito de minimizar os efeitos provocados por ruído aleatório no sistema de medição. Na sequência, são analisados os efeitos da variação de frequência e apresentados os principais métodos de compensação deste problema. Entre as soluções apresentadas, encontra-se o método da alteração do número de amostras por período e o método da variação da taxa de amostragem. O primeiro possui a vantagem de utilizar técnicas de projeto lineares e invariantes no tempo. Já o segundo método, por variar a frequência de amostragem, deve ser analisado sob um aspecto de sistema variante no tempo, o que acarreta em maior complexidade na prova de estabilidade. Os algoritmos de reinicialização e adaptação do ganho do controlador repetitivo são analisados sob variação da frequência da rede. Para a compensação da variação da rede, utiliza-se o método do truncamento do número de amostras e o da variação da taxa de amostragem. Por fim, para validar os algoritmos desenvolvidos s˜ao realizados testes em uma plataforma experimental. / This work presents the development and modification of techniques to reduce the effects of load variation and mains frequency deviation in repetitive controllers applied to active power filters. To minimize the effects of aperiodic signals resulting from the connection or disconnection of non-linear loads is developed a technique which recognizes linear and nonlinear loads, and operates to reset the controller only when the error due to the transition of considerable value, and the transition is from non-linear to linear load. An algorithm to adapt the gain of the repetitive controller, based on a sigmoid function adaptation, in order to minimize the effects caused by random noise in the measurement system is also used. This work also analyzes the effects of frequency variation and presents the main methods to cope with this situation. Some solutions are the change in the number of samples per period and the variation of the sampling rate. The first has the advantage of using linear design techniques and results in a time invariant system. The second method changes the sampling frequency and leads to a time variant system that demands a difficult analysis of stability. The proposed algorithms were tested using the methods of truncation of the number of samples and the method of changing the sampling rate of the system to compensate possible frequency variations of the grid. Experimental results are presented to validate the proposal.

Orientador: Júlio Borges de Souza / Resumo: O transformador de estado sólido tem se apresentado como uma ferramenta indispensável na construção das novas redes elétricas inteligentes, uma vez que essa nova estrutura de rede altera o layout tradicional, viabilizando a conexão de fontes de energia descentralizadas. Contudo, essa conexão de sistemas de geração distribuída na rede originou a bidirecionalidade do fluxo de potência, resultando em um novo panorama para as atividades de operação e manutenção das redes para as distribuidoras de energia. A análise dos possíveis impactos técnicos gerados na rede de distribuição deve ser realizada, com o intuito de garantir um nível de qualidade energética dentro dos padrões estabelecidos pela Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica – ANEEL. Dentre os impactos, destacam-se a elevação do nível de tensão e a alteração do fator de potência, ambos, produzidos pelo excesso de potência injetada na rede por este novo cenário de geração de energia. Nesse contexto, esta dissertação tem como principal objetivo analisar o comportamento de uma rede de distribuição genérica com penetração de geração distribuída e avaliar o perfil de tensão diante de diferentes níveis de inserção dessa geração na rede. As características de ajuste de tensão instantânea e capacidade de interação com sistemas de armazenamento que o transformador de estado sólido possui foram empregadas no auxílio da regulação dos níveis de tensão que se apresentaram fora dos padrões determinados pela resolução 794/2018 da ANEEL, qua... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The solid state transformer has been presented as an essential tool in the construction of new intelligent electric grids, since this new network structure changes the traditional layout, making possible the connection of decentralized energy sources. However, this connection of distributed generation systems in the network created the bidirectionality of the power flow, resulting in a new panorama for the power distributors concerning the networks activities of operation and maintenance. The analysis of the possible technical impacts generated in the distribution network should be carried out with the purpose of guaranteeing a level of energy quality within the standards established by the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL). Among the impacts, we highlight the elevation of the voltage level and the change in the power factor, both produced by the excess power injected into the grid by this new energy generation scenario. In this context, the main objective of this dissertation is to analyze the behavior of a generic distribution network with distributed generation penetration and to evaluate the voltage profile before different levels of insertion of this generation in the network. The solid state transformer has instantaneous voltage adjustment characteristics and interaction capacity with storage systems, which were used to aid in the regulation of voltage levels that were out of the standards determined by ANEEL resolution 794/2018, when a high level of distributed g... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Submitted by Lucas Antonio Alves De Godoi (luksg@hotmail.com) on 2018-07-11T15:22:59Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_Lucas _Godoi.pdf: 3300304 bytes, checksum: 429eb486ffbb167f9c7394e2d2e4b6f6 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Cristina Alexandra de Godoy null (cristina@adm.feis.unesp.br) on 2018-07-11T17:29:00Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 godoy_laa_me_ilha.pdf: 3300304 bytes, checksum: 429eb486ffbb167f9c7394e2d2e4b6f6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-11T17:29:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 godoy_laa_me_ilha.pdf: 3300304 bytes, checksum: 429eb486ffbb167f9c7394e2d2e4b6f6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-04-17 / O transformador de estado sólido tem se apresentado como uma ferramenta indispensável na construção das novas redes elétricas inteligentes, uma vez que essa nova estrutura de rede altera o layout tradicional, viabilizando a conexão de fontes de energia descentralizadas. Contudo, essa conexão de sistemas de geração distribuída na rede originou a bidirecionalidade do fluxo de potência, resultando em um novo panorama para as atividades de operação e manutenção das redes para as distribuidoras de energia. A análise dos possíveis impactos técnicos gerados na rede de distribuição deve ser realizada, com o intuito de garantir um nível de qualidade energética dentro dos padrões estabelecidos pela Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica – ANEEL. Dentre os impactos, destacam-se a elevação do nível de tensão e a alteração do fator de potência, ambos, produzidos pelo excesso de potência injetada na rede por este novo cenário de geração de energia. Nesse contexto, esta dissertação tem como principal objetivo analisar o comportamento de uma rede de distribuição genérica com penetração de geração distribuída e avaliar o perfil de tensão diante de diferentes níveis de inserção dessa geração na rede. As características de ajuste de tensão instantânea e capacidade de interação com sistemas de armazenamento que o transformador de estado sólido possui foram empregadas no auxílio da regulação dos níveis de tensão que se apresentaram fora dos padrões determinados pela resolução 794/2018 da ANEEL, quando um alto nível de geração distribuída foi inserido na rede. / The solid state transformer has been presented as an essential tool in the construction of new intelligent electric grids, since this new network structure changes the traditional layout, making possible the connection of decentralized energy sources. However, this connection of distributed generation systems in the network created the bidirectionality of the power flow, resulting in a new panorama for the power distributors concerning the networks activities of operation and maintenance. The analysis of the possible technical impacts generated in the distribution network should be carried out with the purpose of guaranteeing a level of energy quality within the standards established by the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL). Among the impacts, we highlight the elevation of the voltage level and the change in the power factor, both produced by the excess power injected into the grid by this new energy generation scenario. In this context, the main objective of this dissertation is to analyze the behavior of a generic distribution network with distributed generation penetration and to evaluate the voltage profile before different levels of insertion of this generation in the network. The solid state transformer has instantaneous voltage adjustment characteristics and interaction capacity with storage systems, which were used to aid in the regulation of voltage levels that were out of the standards determined by ANEEL resolution 794/2018, when a high level of distributed generation was inserted into the network.

CAPES / Uma má qualidade de energia elétrica gera grandes prejuízos para a sociedade. Desta forma são utilizados equipamentos denominados analisadores de qualidade de energia elétrica para quantizar os valores destes distúrbios e assim determinar as causas destas anormalidades. O grande problema destes equipamentos é o custo elevado e geralmente são importados inviabilizando uma medição multiponto do sistema elétrico do cliente. Neste cenário, este trabalho objetiva fornecer subsídios e alternativas para o desenvolvimento de equipamentos analisadores de qualidade de energia, que consiste de um conjunto com sensores de corrente e tensão e um módulo central de processamento. No desenvolvimento de quaisquer sensores ou instrumentação surgem algumas dificuldades de condicionamento de sinal por causa das características elétricas do componente usado e principalmente por causa do ruído. Alguns meios de contornar estes problemas são a utilização de uma instalação adequada dos equipamentos de medição, blindagens eletromagnéticas e projeto de PCB’s. No caso de sensores magnéticos, a histerese, saturação magnética e as interferências por campos magnéticos externos introduzem erro de medida no sistema e para a resolução destes problemas foram adotadas configurações de sensores Hall em malha fechada e diferencial. Outro componente que pode ser usado é o sensor Flux-gate que possui potencialidade para medições de corrente de pequena ordem além de oferecer a vantagem de maior integrabilidade ao sistema medidor. Na sequência foi projetado e construído um registrador de tensão e corrente para análise de qualidade de energia elétrica, denominado PQ-Logger, que pode usar estes sensores mencionados anteriormente. O uso de um DSP e um chip para acessar um pendrive genérico permite o armazenamento destes dados. O PQ-Logger-Tran é outro equipamento que foi idealizado para armazenar trechos de transiente de média frequência. Os resultados indicam positivamente o uso conjunto destes sensores de corrente e o equipamento desenvolvido para o propósito de medição destes parâmetros de forma rápida e econômica na infraestrutura elétrica do cliente. / A poor quality power causes large losses to society. Thus it is used an equipment named power quality analyzers for magnitude measurement of these disturbances and determine the causes of these abnormality. The principal problem with these devices is the high cost and they usually are imported that invalidates multipoint measurement of client’s electrical system. In this scenario, this work aims to provide support and alternatives for the development of power quality analyzers, which consists of a set with voltage and current sensors and a central processing module. In the development of any sensors or instrumentation there are difficulties on signal conditioning generated from the used component’s electrical characteristics and principally noise. Some solutions for these problems is the use of proper measuring equipment installation, electromagnetic shielding and design of PCBs. For magnetic sensors, the hysteresis, magnetic saturation and interference by external magnetic fields introduce measurement error in the system and to solve these problems it was adopted Hall sensors in closed-loop and differential configurations. Another component that can be used is the Flux-gate sensor that has potential use in small range current measurements and offers the advantage of higher integrability in the meter system. Following is designed and built a voltage and current logger for Power quality analysis, called PQ-Logger that may utilize the sensors mentioned above. The use of a DSP and a chip for accessing a generic flash drive allows storage of these data. The PQ-Logger-Tran is other equipment that was designed to store snippets of mid-frequency transient. The results positively indicate the combined use of these current sensors and equipment developed for the measuring purpose of these parameters in a quickly and economically form in the customer‘s electrical infrastructure.

Este trabalho apresenta uma metodologia para classificação de eventos de curto-circuito e mano-bras em redes de distribuição de energia elétrica, com base nos registros oscilográficos de tensão na barra da subestação de distribuição. São apresentados os resultados obtidos para duas formas distintas de pré-processamento dos sinais de tensão, sendo a primeira baseada em Transformada de Fourier e a segunda em Transformada Wavelet para diferentes famílias de funções wavelet. Foram comparados três modelos neurais para o processo de classificação: Multi-Layer Perceptron, Radial Basis Function e Support Vector Machine. Os modelos foram treinados levando em conta uma característica autônoma de operação das redes, ou seja, a seleção automática do modelo e o controle de complexidade. Os resultados foram validados para um conjunto de simulações realizadas no programa Alternative Transient Program, visando a aplicação prática do método proposto em um equipamento registrador de oscilografias, desenvolvido pelo Lactec em conjunto com a Copel - Curitiba, PR, denominado Power Quality Monitor. Foram obtidos resultados com desempenho na ordem de 90% de acerto médio para as diferentes formas de pré-processamento e diferente modelos neurais. / This work presents a method for automatic classification of faults and events related to quality of service in power distribution networks, based on oscillographies of the bar feeder voltages of the distribution substation. We present the results for two distinct pre-processing forms of the voltage signals. The first is based on the Fourier Transform and the second on the Wavelet Transform for different families of wavelet functions. We compared three neural models for the process of classification: Multi-Layer Perceptron, Radial Basis Function and Support Vector Machine. The models were trained taking into account the autonomous operation of networks, i.e. automatic model selection and control complexity. The results were validated for a set of simulations performed using the Alternative Transient Program, aimed at practical implementation of the proposed method in an oscillograph logger, developed by Lactec together with Copel, called the Power Quality Monitor. The results were obtained with performance on the order of 90% of average accuracy for the various pre-processing forms and neural models.