Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2004. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xiii, 126 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 120-126).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Drexel University, 2005. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 130-133).

The following report is conducted as a feasibility study, aimed to objectively uncover the advantages and challenges of increasing the amount of small scale solar power in Sri Lanka. The demand for electricity in Sri Lanka has been steadily increasing the last few years and there is an urgent need to find new ways of generating electricity. To not further increase the already high dependency of foreign oil and to decrease the impact on the environment, a transition from traditional combustion of fossil fuel to new renewable energy is required. The report shows that there exists substantial potential for generating solar energy in Sri Lanka. Calculations show that an investment in a photovoltaic system can be economically favourable and that the investment often is paid back within a few years. Current regulations and electricity pricing increases the economic incitement for high electricity consumers to invest in small scale solar power. Furthermore, the report demonstrates that there are likely no technical obstacles of increasing small scale solar power at this period. In contrary, the report shows that small scale solar power in general decreases line losses, voltage drops, and the peak demand of electricity. At present, it is probably not the lack of economic incitement but rather socio-economic factors that limit the development of small scale solar power. Sri Lanka is still a relatively poor country and the long years of civil war have prevented development and wealth. Lack of funds and a high ratio of low-income earners are probably the main reason for the slow development

Environmental targets set by governments around the world are leading to high penetrations of small to medium-scale renewable distributed generation (DG). High penetration of DG in distribution networks, however, can result in voltage and thermal issues among other technical problems. The traditional 'Fit & Forget' approach that refers to the passive use of assets with limited or no control, in the context of distribution network planning, is used to meet maximum demand or generation requirements. However, to ensure that more renewable generation is cost-effectively connected to distribution networks, it is imperative to adopt a more active control of network elements and participants. The active control of future distribution networks requires understanding the corresponding dependencies between voltage magnitudes and DG active/reactive power outputs to mitigate voltage issues. One classical method to calculate these dependencies is to use sensitivity approaches such as those based on the Jacobian matrix. However, during operation, updating the Jacobian matrix requires the network to be fully observable making it unfeasible for decentralized control approaches. Therefore, it is critical to develop a sensitivity approach only requiring local real-time information. This thesis proposes a novel approach to produce voltage sensitivity coefficients using the surface fitting technique based solely on knowledge of network characteristics and, therefore, no remote monitoring is required. To assess the performance of the proposed voltage sensitivity approach, a decentralized (local) voltage control algorithm that simultaneously caters for both the active and reactive power outputs of a single DG plant is adopted. Comparisons with classical sensitivity approaches are carried out using the 16-bus UK GDS test network, 1-min resolution demand and wind generation data. Persistence forecasting (i.e., assuming no changes in demand and wind in a short time period) is considered in this case. The lower Mean Squared Error (MSE) shows that the coefficients of the proposed sensitivity approach are close to those of the Jacobian matrix and better than the perturb-and-observe approach. In the context of voltage management, results highlight that the proposed sensitivity approach is more effective than the Jacobian matrix inverse and perturb-and-observe, resulting in better voltage compliance and energy harvesting (better capacity factor). It should be highlighted that this performance is achieved without the need of full network observability. Furthermore, to cater for the more realistic and complex case of multiple DG plants, this thesis proposes a time-delay based decentralized control algorithm. A comparison with an ideal AC Optimal Power Flow (OPF) is carried out using the same 16-bus UK GDS network but with seven DG plants. The results demonstrate that the proposed sensitivity approach and time delays are very effective when compared to the AC OPF. This, in turn, proves that the combined use of the proposed voltage sensitivity approach and the decentralized controller is an implementable, cost-effective solution to manage DG plants in distribution networks without the need of further communication infrastructure. Finally, a decentralized DG control logic with the capability of using wind forecasting techniques is proposed to tackle the unpredictable nature of wind power. In this work, a time-series based forecasting technique is incorporated to the proposed decentralized controller. The results confirm that the use of more advanced forecasting technique can further improve the management of renewable DG plants.

abstract: At present, almost 70% of the electric energy in the United States is produced utilizing fossil fuels. Combustion of fossil fuels contributes CO2 to the atmosphere, potentially exacerbating the impact on global warming. To make the electric power system (EPS) more sustainable for the future, there has been an emphasis on scaling up generation of electric energy from wind and solar resources. These resources are renewable in nature and have pollution free operation. Various states in the US have set up different goals for achieving certain amount of electrical energy to be produced from renewable resources. The Southwestern region of the United States receives significant solar radiation throughout the year. High solar radiation makes concentrated solar power and solar PV the most suitable means of renewable energy production in this region. However, the majority of the projects that are presently being developed are either residential or utility owned solar PV plants. This research explores the impact of significant PV penetration on the steady state voltage profile of the electric power transmission system. This study also identifies the impact of PV penetration on the dynamic response of the transmission system such as rotor angle stability, frequency response and voltage response after a contingency. The light load case of spring 2010 and the peak load case of summer 2018 have been considered for analyzing the impact of PV. If the impact is found to be detrimental to the normal operation of the EPS, mitigation measures have been devised and presented in the thesis. Commercially available software tools/packages such as PSLF, PSS/E, DSA Tools have been used to analyze the power network and validate the results. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Electrical Engineering 2013

abstract: With ever increasing use of natural gas to generate electricity, installed natural gas fired microturbines are found in residential areas to generate electricity locally. This research work discusses a generalized methodology for assessing optimal capacity and locations for installing natural gas fired microturbines in a distribution residential network. The overall objective is to place microturbines to minimize the system power loss occurring in the electrical distribution network; in such a way that the electric feeder does not need any up-gradation. The IEEE 123 Node Test Feeder is selected as the test bed for validating the developed methodology. Three-phase unbalanced electric power flow is run in OpenDSS through COM server, and the gas distribution network is analyzed using GASWorkS. The continual sensitivity analysis methodology is developed to select multiple DG locations and annual simulation is run to minimize annual average losses. The proposed placement of microturbines must be feasible in the gas distribution network and should not result into gas pipeline reinforcement. The corresponding gas distribution network is developed in GASWorkS software, and nodal pressures of the gas system are checked for various cases to investigate if the existing gas distribution network can accommodate the penetration of selected microturbines. The results indicate the optimal locations suitable to place microturbines and capacity that can be accommodated by the system, based on the consideration of overall minimum annual average losses as well as the guarantee of nodal pressure provided by the gas distribution network. The proposed method is generalized and can be used for any IEEE test feeder or an actual residential distribution network. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Electrical Engineering 2014

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A presente dissertaÃÃo apresenta o desenvolvimento de uma ferramenta computacional de auxÃlio ao planejamento energÃtico chamada de GDHER (GeraÃÃo DistribuÃda de Sistemas HÃbridos de Energias RenovÃveis) A ferramenta pode ser utilizada sem custo uma vez que foi desenvolvido atravÃs do Calc um programa de planilha eletrÃnica semelhante ao Excel que faz parte de um pacote de vÃrios aplicativos livres da Broffice ApÃs identificar algumas limitaÃÃes dos principais softwares disponÃveis no mercado foi desenvolvida uma nova ferramenta adaptada à realidade brasileira principalmente voltada Ãs Ãreas rurais e isoladas que utiliza o portuguÃs como idioma e possui uma interface bastante amigÃvel facilitando sua compreensÃo e operaÃÃo pelo usuÃrio A ferramenta permite o usuÃrio fazer dimensionamento de algumas modalidades de geraÃÃo de energia elÃtrica a partir de tecnologias limpas como a solar fotovoltaica aerogeradores e biodigestores e atravÃs de uma anÃlise financeira esses sistemas sÃo comparados com a extensÃo da rede de energia elÃtrica permitindo que o usuÃrio obtenha um prognÃstico de viabilidade A ferramenta tambÃm permite fazer o dimensionamento e a anÃlise financeira de configuraÃÃes de sistemas hÃbridos como fotovoltaico-eÃlico fotovoltaico-biodigestor e biodigestor-eÃlico a fim de encontrar a configuraÃÃo Ãtima para o projeto Para validaÃÃo da ferramenta foi feito um estudo de caso e a partir da anÃlise financeira e anÃlise de sensibilidade a modalidade de fornecimento de energia elÃtrica mais viÃvel para os sistemas individualizados sÃo os biodigestores em seguida sÃo os mÃdulos fotovoltaicos e a rede elÃtrica e por Ãltimo sÃo os aerogeradores De acordo com a anÃlise financeira dos sistemas hÃbridos a configuraÃÃo mais lucrativo à 75% da demanda sendo atendida por biodigestores e 25% por mÃdulos fotovoltaicos Os resultados sÃo apresentados atravÃs de tabelas e grÃficos para melhor compreensÃo do usuÃrio Com todas essas caracterÃsticas a ferramenta proposta permite dimensionar sistemas com mÃxima eficiÃncia e menor custo obtendo assim sistemas mais adequados e confiÃveis tanto do ponto de vista tÃcnico como financeiro / This work presents the development of a computational tool to aid in energy planning called GDHER (Distributed Generation of Hybrid Systems for Renewable Energy) The program can be used without cost since it was developed through the Calc a program of electronic spreadsheet similar to Excel which is part of a package of several free applications of Broffice After identifying some limitations of the main software available on the market we obtained a new tool adapted to the Brazilian reality especially to rural and isolated areas which uses the portuguese as language and has an interface very user friendly facilitating the understanding and operation of the program by the user The program allows the user to do the scaling of some methods of electricity generation from clean technologies such as solar photovoltaics wind turbines and biodigesters and through a financial analysis these systems are compared with the extension of the network of electric energy allowing the user get a prognosis of viability The tool also allows the user to do the scaling and the financial analysis of some configurations of hybrid systems like photovoltaic-wind photovoltaic-digester and wind-digester in order to find the optimal configuration for the project For validation of the program it was done a case study and from the financial analysis and sensitivity analysis the modality of electric energy supply more viable for individualized systems are the digesters then are the photovoltaic modules and the electrical network and finally are the wind turbines According to the financial analysis of hybrid systems the configuration more profitable is 75% of demand being served by biodigesters and 25% by photovoltaic modules The results are presented using tables and graphs for better understanding of the user With all these features the tool allows to scale systems with maximum efficiency and lower costs thereby obtaining more appropriate and reliable systems both from the technical point of view as financial

Power system islanding is gaining increasing interest as a way to maintain power supply continuity. However, before this operation become viable, the technical challenges associated with its operation must first be addressed. A possible solution to one of these challenges, out-of synchronism reclosure, is by running the islanded system in synchronism with the mains whilst not being electrically connected. This concept, known as 'synchronous islanded operation' avoids the danger of out-of-synchronism reclosure of the islanded system onto the mains. The research in this thesis was based on the concepts presented in [1-3] and specifically applied to multiple-DG island scenarios. The additional control challenges associated with this scenario are identified and an appropriate control scheme, more suited for the operation of multiple-DG synchronous islands, is proposed. The results suggest that multiple-DG synchronous islanded operation is feasible, but a supervisory controller is necessary to facilitate the information exchange within the islanded system and enable stable operation.For maximum flexibility, the synchronous island must be capable of operating with a diversity of generation. The difficulties become further complicated when some or all of the generation consists of intermittent sources. The performance of the proposed control scheme in the presence of a significant contribution of renewable sources within the island is investigated. Two types of wind technologies were developed in PSCAD/EMTDC for this purpose, they are a fixed speed induction generator (FSIG) based wind farm and a doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) based wind farm. The results show that although synchronous islanded operation is still achievable, the intermittent output has an adverse effect on the control performance, and in particular limits the magnitude of disturbances that can happen in the island without going beyond the relaxed synchronisation limits of ±60o.Energy storage is proposed as a way to reduce the wind farm power variation and improve phase controller response. A supplementary control is also proposed such that DFIG contributes to the inertial response. The potential of the proposed scheme (energy storage + supplementary control) is evaluated using case studies. The results show massive improvement to the load acceptance limits, even beyond the case where no wind farm is connected. The benefit of the proposed scheme is even more apparent as the share of wind generated energy in the island grows.

The growing number of micro generation devices in the electrical network is leading many to consider that these devices can no longer be considered as fit and forget, but should instead be considered as having a demonstrable network impact which should be predicted and utilised. One of the techniques for considering the impacts of these devices is the Virtual Power Plant (VPP). The VPP is the aggregation of all the Distributed Generation (DG) connected into the network up to and including the connection voltage of the VPP, such that the cumulative power up the voltage levels can be seen in the single VPP unit, rather than across a broad spread of devices. One of the crucial tasks in characterising the VPP, developed in this work, is the ability to correctly predict and then aggregate the behaviour of several technology types which are weather driven, as a large proportion of DG is weather driven. Of this weather driven DG, some can only typically be dispatched with modification and the rest cannot be dispatched at all. The aggregation of the VPP as part of the electrical network is also developed, as the constraints of the network and the reliability of the network cannot be overlooked when considering the aggregation of the VPP. From a distribution network operator's (DNO) perspective, these characterisation models can be used to highlight problems in the network introduced by the addition of DG, but are also generally utilitarian in their role of predicting the power output (or negative load) found throughout the network due to DG. For a commercial agent interested in selling energy, these models allow for accurate predictions of energy to be determined for the trading period. A VPP agent would also be adversely affected by line failure in the network, leading to the development of an N-1 analysis based upon reliability rates of the network, which is used as the basis for a discussion on the impacts of single line failure and the mitigation available through feedback from the DNO.

Nos dias de hoje, o aumento na demanda de energia no Brasil, associado a fatores econômicos e ambientais, tem dificultado a criação de novas usinas hidrelétricas, necessárias para suprir essa demanda adicional e aumentar a confiabilidade do sistema. Nesse contexto, a geração distribuída se destaca como uma solução adequada, pois economiza investimentos em redes de transmissão e distribuição, reduz perdas e diversifica a matriz energética do sistema elétrico, tornando-o mais robusto e eficiente. Dentre as fontes de energia utilizadas em sistemas de geração distribuída, a microturbina apresenta algumas vantagens em relação a outros modelos de GD, como por exemplo, a possibilidade da utilização de vários tipos de combustíveis. Para verificar as características de operação das microturbinas, foram realizadas simulações baseadas em modelos matemáticos presentes na literatura técnica. Porém, devido às altas velocidades de rotação das turbinas a gás, a energia gerada possui frequências muito altas para ser aproveitada diretamente pelos consumidores, sendo necessária uma interface eletrônica para adequação da energia elétrica. Neste trabalho é abordado o estudo, simulação e implementação da primeira etapa desta interface, um retificador trifásico com correção de fator de potência, para a geração de um barramento de corrente contínua com tensão estável, mantendo as correntes de entrada do retificador com formato senoidal e em fase com a tensão. / Nowadays, the increase in energy demand in Brazil, associated with economic and environmental factors, has hindered the creation of new power plants needed to provide this additional demand and improve system reliability. In this context, distributed generation stands out as an appropriate solution because it saves investments in transmission and distribution, reduces losses and diversify the energy matrix of the electrical system, making it more robust and efficient. Among the energy sources used in distributed generation systems, the microturbine has some advantages over other models of GD, such as the possibility of using various types of fuel. To verify the operating characteristics of microturbines, simulations were performed based on mathematical models present in literature. However, due to high rotation speeds of gas turbines, the energy generated has very high frequencies to be used directly by consumers, which requires an electronic interface to adequate the electricity. This work describe the study, simulation and implementation of the first stage of this interface, a three-phase rectifier with power factor correction, to generate a DC bus voltage stable, keeping the rectifier input current format sinusoidal and in phase with the voltage generated by the microturbine.