This thesis deals with the ferroresonance phenomenon and ferroresonance overvoltage in electric networks. That’s why the introduction part explains the theoretical basis of ferroresonance and its consequences in the power system. The work then focuses on the power system as a non-linear dynamic system and describes various analytical methods for solving these systems. These methods are further applied to diagnose specific systems. There are a number of various power system configurations susceptible to ferroresonance. The most frequent one is theoretically analyzed in this thesis and a number of recommendations are offered for reducing the ferroresonance phenomenon. The thesis further deals with the selection of suitable software for this computationally chal-lenging task. A number of different tools are considered and efficiently reduced to Matlab Sim-ulink and PSCAD software. Matlab Simulink and its SimPowerSystem Toolbox are used to ana-lyze the effect of hysteresis of the magnetic core of the transformer on the emergence and course of the ferroresonance phenomenon. Using PSCAD, various configurations of the power systems are compared in terms of possible emergence and course of ferroresonance and also to find the limiting conditions that increase the probability of this phenomenon. The possibility of using arti-ficial neural networks for ferroresonance diagnosis is also mentioned in this thesis. The final part provides a number of recommendations for design and operation of both new and existing power systems.

This thesis deals with the problems associated with the lightning. It deals with the stablishment, descriptions and analyzes of risk the living organisms and objects are facing. The work focuses on the description and implementation of protection against these adverse effects. Its objective is to devise a system for lightning protection for chosen PV power plant to meet the requirements of standard of EN 62305. The work is also the analysis of shadow effects in the collecting system for PV power systems.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / The primary objective of this research was to investigate the failures occurring in the family of surge arresters used within EThekwini Electricity, making use of different diagnostic methods, such as leakage current testing (LC), infrared scanning (IR), and partial discharge (PD) measurements. The different diagnostic tests were used to assess the degradation process of the polymer housed surge arresters and their failure. The measurements were used for diagnosis of 120 kV/65 kA surge arresters of different brands. Tests were performed on surge arresters that were still in the system and these test results were compared with results from tests performed on failed units. Results obtained from the different tests were compared to the test results for different families or designs. An imperfect arrester will exhibit excessive heating when an electrical surge is discharged. The aforementioned tenets are the primary factors influencing degradation and causing failure of Metal Oxide Surge Arrester (MOSA) in a system. These factors can decrease creepage and flashover distance on insulation, which could result in a substantial increase in resistive leakage current, (which is a few microamperes in ideal condition), overheating, and PD formation on the zinc oxide varistor element. Therefore, it is extremely important to assess the status of the surge arresters whilst they are in service, firstly so that they can be removed from the system before they fail and, and secondly, to verify their condition, and their ability to effectively protect the substation apparatus. Using infrared inspection, valuable information of condition of surge arresters was obtained, heat inside the surge arresters was detected and this shows that IR analysis can therefore be considered as an additional method to assess the condition of polymer housed surge arresters. It was observed that partial discharge activity is an indication of degradation in arrester varistor. LC test, IR, and PD measurement were valuable in obtaining sufficient information for failure of surge arresters. In additional, during the visual internal inspection of arresters, evidence of punctures, treeing, tracking, and moisture masks were noted on ZnO blocks and seals. These results indicate that the moisture ingress through the sealing collar can cause unnecessary outages. / M

Distúrbios em redes elétricas podem causar danos materiais e/ou operacionais em equipamentos eletrônicos sensíveis, em particular, sistemas em microcomputadores. Com o objetivo de registrar esses distúrbios, um monitor para redes elétricas foi desenvolvido. O equipamento desenvolvido é controlado por um microprocessador 80C86-2. Os seguintes distúrbios podem ser monitorados: desvios da freqüência nominal da rede, interferências de rádio freqüência, subtensão, sobretensão e surtos de tensão. Para minimizar o gargalo de Von Neumann, os circuitos foram projetados de forma que a maior parte das leituras é solicitada via interrupção. O equipamento foi testado a nível de laboratório e os resultados são apresentados. / Power line disturbances can adversely affect electronic sensitive equipment, particularly microcomputer based systems. In order to register these disturbances a power line monitor has been developed. The developed instrument is microprocessor based using a 80C86-2 as the main CPU. The following electrical disturbances can be monitored: nominal frequency deviations, radio-frequency interference, under and overvoltages, transient over voltages. Attempting to minimize Von Neumann´s bottle neck, the hardware was designed in such a way that most of the readings were requested through interrupts. The equipment was tested through a series of disturbance simulations, and the results are presented.

Nesta dissertação, discorre-se sobre manobra sincronizada de disjuntores. Entre as atividades desenvolvidas para a sua elaboração estão a análise de transitórios causados por manobras em capacitores, reatores e linhas de transmissão, estudos de sobretensão e estudos para a determinação de instantes favoráveis às manobras, sob o ponto de vista de diminuição de sobretensões. Completa a dissertação a especificação de equipamento de sincronismo que, a partir de medições em tempo real de variáveis elétricas - que interferem nas sobretensões - e de variáveis climáticas - que interferem no tempo de acionamento dos contatos dos disjuntores - calculam o tempo de atraso necessário para o fechamento elétrico em instantes mais convenientes. / The scope of this dissertation is the study of synchronized switching of circuit breakers. The transients caused by capacitor, reactor and transmission line switching are analyzed, for overvoltage evaluation and to determined the favorable time in the wave that leads to smallest overvoltages. Finally the specification of an equipment is produced. The equipment acquire, in real time, the values of electrical variables (current and voltages) the ambient temperature and oil pressure in the circuit breaker operating mechanism, voltage in the auxiliary system and assign a delay in the breaker switching time in order to control overvoltages.

Nesta dissertação, discorre-se sobre manobra sincronizada de disjuntores. Entre as atividades desenvolvidas para a sua elaboração estão a análise de transitórios causados por manobras em capacitores, reatores e linhas de transmissão, estudos de sobretensão e estudos para a determinação de instantes favoráveis às manobras, sob o ponto de vista de diminuição de sobretensões. Completa a dissertação a especificação de equipamento de sincronismo que, a partir de medições em tempo real de variáveis elétricas - que interferem nas sobretensões - e de variáveis climáticas - que interferem no tempo de acionamento dos contatos dos disjuntores - calculam o tempo de atraso necessário para o fechamento elétrico em instantes mais convenientes. / The scope of this dissertation is the study of synchronized switching of circuit breakers. The transients caused by capacitor, reactor and transmission line switching are analyzed, for overvoltage evaluation and to determined the favorable time in the wave that leads to smallest overvoltages. Finally the specification of an equipment is produced. The equipment acquire, in real time, the values of electrical variables (current and voltages) the ambient temperature and oil pressure in the circuit breaker operating mechanism, voltage in the auxiliary system and assign a delay in the breaker switching time in order to control overvoltages.

This thesis analyses the controlled switching methods applied to modern SF6 type circuit breakers for the purpose of reducing switching overvoltages. Main emphasis is placed on controlled switching methods applied at extra high voltage level, since the cost of failures caused by switching overvoltages is highest in this voltage level. After a brief introduction about circuit breakers in general, switching overvoltages and controlled switching methods are analysed. Also a case study about controlled switching of an unloaded overhead line is provided, and success of controlled switching method is evaluated.

abstract: An important operating aspect of all transmission systems is power system stability and satisfactory dynamic performance. The integration of renewable resources in general, and photovoltaic resources in particular into the grid has created new engineering issues. A particularly problematic operating scenario occurs when conventional generation is operated at a low level but photovoltaic solar generation is at a high level. Significant solar photovoltaic penetration as a renewable resource is becoming a reality in some electric power systems. In this thesis, special attention is given to photovoltaic generation in an actual electric power system: increased solar penetration has resulted in significant strides towards meeting renewable portfolio standards. The impact of solar generation integration on power system dynamics is studied and evaluated. This thesis presents the impact of high solar penetration resulting in potentially problematic low system damping operating conditions. This is the case because the power system damping provided by conventional generation may be insufficient due to reduced system inertia and change in power flow patterns affecting synchronizing and damping capability in the AC system. This typically occurs because conventional generators are rescheduled or shut down to allow for the increased solar production. This problematic case may occur at any time of the year but during the springtime months of March-May, when the system load is low and the ambient temperature is relatively low, there is the potential that over voltages may occur in the high voltage transmission system. Also, reduced damping in system response to disturbances may occur. An actual case study is considered in which real operating system data are used. Solutions to low damping cases are discussed and a solution based on the retuning of a conventional power system stabilizer is given in the thesis. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Electrical Engineering 2015

Distúrbios em redes elétricas podem causar danos materiais e/ou operacionais em equipamentos eletrônicos sensíveis, em particular, sistemas em microcomputadores. Com o objetivo de registrar esses distúrbios, um monitor para redes elétricas foi desenvolvido. O equipamento desenvolvido é controlado por um microprocessador 80C86-2. Os seguintes distúrbios podem ser monitorados: desvios da freqüência nominal da rede, interferências de rádio freqüência, subtensão, sobretensão e surtos de tensão. Para minimizar o gargalo de Von Neumann, os circuitos foram projetados de forma que a maior parte das leituras é solicitada via interrupção. O equipamento foi testado a nível de laboratório e os resultados são apresentados. / Power line disturbances can adversely affect electronic sensitive equipment, particularly microcomputer based systems. In order to register these disturbances a power line monitor has been developed. The developed instrument is microprocessor based using a 80C86-2 as the main CPU. The following electrical disturbances can be monitored: nominal frequency deviations, radio-frequency interference, under and overvoltages, transient over voltages. Attempting to minimize Von Neumann´s bottle neck, the hardware was designed in such a way that most of the readings were requested through interrupts. The equipment was tested through a series of disturbance simulations, and the results are presented.

Energy Harvesting from Exercise Machines (EHFEM) is an ongoing project pursuing alternate forms of sustainable energy for Cal Poly State University. The EHFEM project seeks to acquire user-generated DC power from exercise machines and sell that energy back to the local grid as AC power. The end goal of the EHFEM project aims to integrate a final design with existing elliptical fitness trainers for student and faculty use in Cal Poly’s Recreational Center. This report examines whether including the DC-DC converter in the EHFEM setup produces AC power to the electric grid more efficiently and consistently than an EHFEM system that excludes a DC-DC converter. The project integrates an overvoltage protection circuit, a DC-DC converter, and a DC-AC microinverter with an available elliptical trainer modified to include an energy converting circuit. The initial expectation was that a DC-DC converter would increase, when averaged over time, the overall energy conversion efficiency of the EHFEM system, and provide a stable voltage and current level for the microinverter to convert DC power into AC power. In actuality, while including a DC-DC converter in a test setup allows the EHFEM system to function with less frequent interruptions, this occurs at the cost of lower efficiency. Testing demonstrates the EHFEM project can convert user-generated DC mechanical power into usable AC electrical power. Retrofitting existing equipment with the EHFEM project can reduce Cal Poly’s energy cost.