Thesis (M.Eng.)--University of Wollongong, School of Electrical, Computer & Telecommunications Engineering. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: leaf 143-147.

Thesis (MScIng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis covers the development of a transformerless series dip compensator. Of all known power quality problems, voltage dips are the greatest reason for concern. Series injection dip compensators offer the advantage of only having to compensate for the decrease in supply voltage during a dip. This results in significant reduction in converter ratings and energy storage requirements. The aim of this thesis was to take up previous developments and combine them with new technologies to maximize their functionality. The new design was implemented with ultracapacitors to offer a maintenance-free device lifespan of 20 years. As they are very expensive, a new topology was introduced in this thesis to maximize their use so that they become viable for industry. Furthermore, a new method of daisy chaining switches was introduced to minimize costs involved in controlling them. A single-phase compensator, with this new topology and the new way of controlling switches, was designed and built according to specifications stated by Eskom. This ultracapacitor-based dip compensator was tested with a dip generator, developed by the University of Stellenbosch for different load currents. The experimental results confirmed simulations made with identical parameters. This thesis presents a reliable and cost effective solution for dip compensation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis dek die ontwikkeling van ’n transformatorlose duik kompenseerder. Van al die bekende toevoerkwaliteit probleme wek duike in die spanning die meeste kommer. Serie-injeksie kompenseerders het die voordeel dat hulle net kompenseer vir die verlies in die toevoerspanning tydens die duik. Dit het ’n beduidende vermindering in die omsetterkenwaardes en energiestoorvereistes tot gevolg. Hierdie tesis mik om vorige soortgelyke ontwikkelings op te volg en te verbeter met nuwe tegnologie om die funktionliteit te maksimeer. Die ontwerp is geimplementeer met ultrakapasitore wat die onderhoudsvrye toestel ‘n leeftyd van 20 jaar toelaat. Omdat ultrakapasitore so duur is moes ‘n nuwe topologie onwikkel word om die gebruik van ultrakapasitore meer ekonomies aantreklik te maak. Daar is ook ‘n nuwe manier van skakelaar beheer ontwikkel wat toelaat dat baie skakelaars oor een optise veesel beheer kan word. ‘n Enkel fase dip kompensaeerder is toe onwikkel en gebou volgens Eskom se spesifikasies. Die ultrakapasitor gebaseerde omsetter is getoets met ‘n dip generator wat deur die Universiteit van Stellenbosch ontwikkel is. Die praktiese resultate bevestig die simulasies wat gedoen is met dieselfe parameters. Hierdie tesis lei tot ‘n betroubaare en ekonomiese oplossing vir duik kompensasie.

published_or_final_version / Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / abstract / Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

This research report is submitted as a partial fulfilment of the requirements for a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (Power). / Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitors (TCSCs) are FACTS devices which incorporate power-electronic-based and other static controllers to enhance controllability and increase power transfer capability. This research investigated the possibility of applying TCSCs on the South African transmission network, in particular application on long transmission lines connecting bulk thermal generators in the northern part of South Africa to load centres located hundreds of kilometres elsewhere in the country. The investigation, conducted using PSS/E (a power system analysis software) demonstrated that application of TCSCs on this part of South African transmission network results in improved transient stability margins. The resulting improvement in transient stability is comparable to other transient stability enhancement options like addition of transmission lines, thus the use of TCSCs can be considered as an alternative. Further studies would be vital to understand the interaction between Power System Stabilizers (PSSs) and TCSCs in order to ensure proper tuning and interaction amongst the devices. / MT2017

Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries / Department: Electrical Engineering.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1981. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Bibliography: leaves 400-410. / by Jose Ignacio Perez Arriaga. / Ph.D.

Increasing penetration of non-dispatchable renewable energy resources and greater peak power demand present growing challenges to Bulk Power System (BPS) reliability and resilience. This research investigates the use of an Internet of Things (IoT) framework for large scale Distributed Energy Resource (DER) aggregation and control to reduce energy imbalance caused by stochastic renewable generation. The aggregator developed for this research is Distributed Energy Resource Aggregation System (DERAS). DERAS comprises two AllJoyn applications written in C++. The first application is the Energy Management System (EMS), which aggregates, emulates, and controls connected DERs. The second application is the Distributed Management System (DMS), which is the interface between AllJoyn and the physical DER. The EMS runs on a cloud-based server with an allocated 8 GB of memory and an 8 thread, 2 GHz processor. Raspberry Pis host the simulated Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) or electric water heater (EWH) DMSs. Five Raspberry Pis were used to simulate 250 DMSs. The EMS used PJM's regulation control signals, RegA and RegD, to determine DERAS performance metrics. PJM is a regional transmission organization (RTO). Their regulation control signals direct power resources to negate load and generation imbalances within the BPS. DERAS's performance was measured by the EMS server resource usage, network data transfer, and signal delay. The regulation capability of aggregated DER was measured using PJM's resource performance assessment criteria. We found the use of an IoT framework for DER aggregation and control to be inadequate in the current network implementation. However, the emulated modes and aggregation response to the regulated control signal demonstrates an excellent opportunity for DER to benefit the BPS.

[Truncated abstract] The present thesis is devoted to the development of new methods for transient stability-constrained optimal power flow, probabilistic transient stability assessment and security-constrained ancillary services allocation. The key objective of the thesis is to develop novel dispatch and assessment methods for power systems operation in the new environment of electricity markets to ensure power systems security, particularly transient stability. A new method for economic dispatch together with nodal price calculations which includes transient stability constraints and, at the same time, optimises the reference inputs to the Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) devices for maintaining power systems transient stability and reducing nodal prices is developed. The method draws on the sensitivity analysis of time-domain transient stability simulation results to derive a set of linearised stability constraints expressed in terms of generator active powers and FACTS devices input references. '...' The low computing time requirement of the two-point estimate method allows online applications, and the use of detailed power systems dynamic model for time-domain simulation which offers high accuracy. The two-point estimate method is integrated in a straightforward manner with the existing transient stability analysis tools. The integrated software facility has potential applications in control rooms to assist the system operator in decision making process based on instability risks. The software system when implemented on a cluster of processors also makes it feasible to re-assess online transient stability for any change in system configuration arising from switching control. The method proposed has been tested on a representative power system and validated using the Monte Carlo simulation. In conjunction with the energy market, by which forecasted load demand is met by generator dispatch, ancillary services are required in relation to control for secure system operation and power quality. The final part of the thesis has a focus on the key aspect of allocating these ancillary services, subject to an important constraint that the dispatch of the ancillary services will not impair the system security achieved in the load dispatch. With this focus and requirement, the thesis develops a new dispatch formulation in which the network security constraints are represented in the optimal determination of generator active power schedule and allocation of ancillary services. Contingencies considered include power demand variations at individual load nodes from the values specified for the current dispatch calculation. The required changes in generator active powers to meet the new load demands are represented by additional control variables in the new dispatch formulation which augment those variables in the traditional OPF dispatch calculation. Based on the Lagrange function which includes the extended set of security constraints, the formulation derives the optimality condition to be satisfied by the dispatch solution, together with the marginal prices for individual ancillary service providers and LMPs. The effects of the security constraints are investigated and discussed. Case studies for representative power systems are presented to verify the new dispatch calculation procedure.

With the increased attention on high efficiency and controllability of industrial processes, as well as reduced weight, volume and cost of consumer products, the applications of nonlinear power electronic converters such as adjustable speed drives (ASDs) are showing a rapid rise. Power Quality (PQ) is becoming an increasing concern with the growth of both sensitive and disturbing nonlinear loads in the residential, commercial and industrial levels of the power system, where PQ related disruptions can cause system malfunction, product loss, and hardware damage resulting in costly data loss and downtime. Investigating and mitigating PQ issues pertaining to the input supply of ASDs and other sensitive power electronic equipment is extremely important in maintaining a high level of productivity. In response to these concerns, this research focuses on the development of a power quality test platform (PQTP) that has been implemented at Oregon State University (OSU), in the Motor Systems Resource Facility (MSRF). The central component of the PQTP is a 120kVA programmable ac power source with an integrated arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) which creates realistic voltage disturbance conditions that can be used to characterize ride-through capabilities of industrial processes in a controlled environment. Also presented is a command driver database that has been created and tested, using Lab VIEW, which contains the functionality necessary to conduct a wide range of power quality research and testing projects by remotely configuring and controlling the AWG. The power quality research and testing capabilities of the PQTP are demonstrated with ASD diode-bridge rectifier operation analysis and ride-through characterization. This research shows the transition of an ASD's three-phase diode rectifier into single-phase diode rectifier operation when relatively small single-phase voltage sags are applied to the input. Also shown are ride-through characterizations of varying sizes and configurations of ASDs when subjected to single, two, and three-phase voltage sags as well as capacitor switching transients. In addition, ASD topologies providing improved ride-through capabilities are determined. / Graduation date: 2002