Distribution systems across most parts of the globe are highly radial in nature. As loads are gradually increased on a particular distribution system, a higher operating current state leading to increased fault current levels is attained. Hence, the relay co-ordination is disturbed and equipments such as feeders and circuit breakers need to be replaced with higher rating so that they can handle the new currents often leading to expensive retrofit costs. The use of fault current limiter (FCL) is proposed to mitigate the effects of high current levels on a distribution system. A comprehensive and up-to-date literature review of FCL technologies is presented. Detailed efforts of an in-house developed behavioral superconducting FCL model are delineated, including FCL control algorithm and its implementation in PSCAD®/EMTDC environment. Results from simulation studies are investigated and compared to an actual FCL commissioned by Z-energy to highlight the effectiveness of a generic model without having to access proprietary details. Extending those concepts, a solid-state and hybrid type of limiter is also modeled and it results discussed. Finally, an impact assessment is conducted on the distribution protection scheme, due to the FCL being inserted and subsequently operated in the distribution system. / Master of Science

This thesis focused on creating a model of a small hydropower plant model (SHPP) and a part of the electricity network in the simulation software "PSCAD" (basing on real sources). The model will be specified on the basis of the data obtained from the measurements to correspond with the real equipment.

Detta examensarbete har utförts hos Vattenfall Eldistribution på avdelningen Kontroll och Skydd med målsättningen att utforma och utvärdera en nätmodell avsedd för jordslutningssimuleringar i PSCAD. Ombyggnationen från luftledningar till markkablar har medfört att kapacitansen i distributionsnätet ökat, vilket ställer högre krav på jordfelsutrustning och på nätanalyser för att kunna försäkra att en säkerställd frånkoppling kan ske enligt de myndighetskrav som föreligger. Syftet med arbetet har varit att undersöka hur en nätmodell bör utformas för analys av stationära in-svängningsförlopp och utvärdera hur stor noggrannhet som kan förväntas gentemot verkliga jordfelsprov vid felresistanser på främst 3 kΩ och 5 kΩ. Nätmodellen har ut-formats efter ett verkligt impedansjordat mellanspänningsnät med π-länkar i PSCAD och utifrån de nätuppgifter som förekommer i Vattenfalls näthanteringsprogram Netbas. Simuleringsresultaten har jämförts mot resultat från det verkliga nätets jord-felsprover vid olika inställningar på den centrala kompenseringsutrustningen som är placerad mellan den matande transformatorns nollpunkt och jord. Jordslutningssimuleringarna visar, trots antaganden och en viss osäkerhet omkring de verkliga nollföljdskomponenterna, godtyckliga simuleringsresultat vid avstämt och snedavstämt nät motsvarande ± 30 A gentemot ledningarnas kapacitiva strömmar vid en felresistans på 3 kΩ. Jordslutningssimuleringarnas händelseförlopp överensstäm-mer överlag väl mot det verkliga nätet samtidigt som jordslutningar vid 5 kΩ medför en större procentuell avvikelse. Särskilt framträdande avvikelser kunde urskiljas vid analys av fasvinkeln mellan nollföljdsspänning och nollföljdsström. En analys av nätmodellens resultat och troliga orsaker till uppkomna simulerings-avvikelser gentemot det verkliga nätet indikerar på att nätmodellens tillförlitlighet bör kunna optimeras ytterligare om noggrannare hänsyn tas gällande nollföljdsimpedanser, dc-komponenter och de toleranser som förekommer i det verkliga nätets avstäm-ningsutrustning och mätkretsar. / This thesis has been carried out at Vattenfall Eldistribution at the department Control and Protection with the objective to design and evaluate a network model for ground fault simulations in PSCAD. The reconversion from overhead lines to underground cables has led to increased capacitances in the distribution network and this places greater demands on the feeder protection unit and network analyzes in order to assure that faulted feeders are disconnected according to regulatory requirements. The aim of this work has been to determine how a network model could be designed for analysis of stationary signal characteristics and evaluate how great accuracy the power system model have compared to real earth fault test results. Earth fault simulations are performed with fault resistances of 3 kΩ and 5 kΩ. The power system model have been created to emulate a real impedance grounded network according to the π-model in PSCAD based on system information from Vattenfalls network management program Netbas. Results from the simulations have been compared against results obtained from real earth faults from the physical network with different settings on the central compensation equipment placed between the transformers neutral and ground. Simulations show, despite assumptions and some uncertainty about the actual zero sequence components similar results when fault resistance was 3 kΩ, both when compensation coil are fully tuned and out of tune ± 30 A corresponding to the feeder capacitance. The overall signal sequence conform quite well to the real network but at the same time simulations with 5 kΩ obtains greater deviations when results are represented in percentage. Particularly prominent abnormalities could be identified in the phase angle between zero sequence voltage and zero sequence current. An analysis of deviations from the simulations in the digital network model against the real system indicates that the model probably could be further optimized if zero sequence impedances, dc components, and tolerances that occur in the real systems reactive compensation equipment and measuring circuits are taken into account.

This thesis focused on creating a model of a small hydropower plant model (SHPP) and a part of the electricity network in the simulation software "PSCAD" (basing on real sources). The model will be specified on the basis of the data obtained from the measurements to correspond with the real equipment.

abstract: Switching surges are a common type of phenomenon that occur on any sort of power system network. These are more pronounced on long transmission lines and in high voltage substations. The problem with switching surges is encountered when a lot of power is transmitted across a transmission line/network, typically from a concentrated generation node to a concentrated load. The problem becomes significantly worse when the transmission line is long and when the voltage levels are high, typically above 400 kV. These overvoltage transients occur following any type of switching action such as breaker operation, fault occurrence/clearance and energization, and they pose a very real danger to weakly interconnected systems. At EHV levels, the insulation coordination of such lines is mainly dictated by the peak level of switching surges, the most dangerous of which include three phase line energization and single-phase reclosing. Switching surges can depend on a number of independent and inter-dependent factors like voltage level, line length, tower construction, location along the line, and presence of other equipment like shunt/series reactors and capacitors. This project discusses the approaches taken and methods applied to observe and tackle the problems associated with switching surges on a long transmission line. A detailed discussion pertaining to different aspects of switching surges and their effects is presented with results from various studies published in IEEE journals and conference papers. Then a series of simulations are presented to determine an arrangement of substation equipment with respect to incoming transmission lines; that correspond to the lowest surge levels at that substation. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Electrical Engineering 2018

The general trends in the past decade of increasing solar cell efficiency, decreasing PV system costs, increasing government incentive programs, and several other factors have all combined synergistically to reduce the barriers of entry for PV systems to enter the market and expand their contribution to the global energy portfolio. The shortcomings of current inverter functions which link PV systems to the utility network are becoming transparent as PV penetration levels continue to increase. The solution this thesis proposes is an approach to control the inverters real and reactive power output to help eliminate the problems associated with PV systems at their origin and in addition provide the grid with ancillary support services. The design, modeling, and analysis of a grid-tied PV system was performed in the PSCAD software simulation environment. Results indicate that in the presence of grid disturbances the smart inverter can react dynamically to help restore the power system back to its normal state. A harmonic analysis was also performed indicating the inverter under study met the applicable power quality standards for distributed energy resources.

The study reviews and examines the definitions of reactive power, apparent power, and power factor. Among the different definitions of power factor in three-phase circuits under a non-sinusoidal condition, this study adopts the definition of the effective power factor, which is also advocated by IEEE Standard 1459-2010. The effective power factor is defined as the ratio of the real power consumed by the load over the effective apparent power. The effective apparent power is the maximum power transmitted to the load (or delivered by a source) while keeping the same line losses and the same load (or source) voltage and current. The effective power factor theory gives apparent power a definite physical significance and provides more insights than other definitions in unbalanced circuits. Another merit of the effective power factor definition is that it only involves measurements and computations in the time domain. This study implements the computation of the effective power factor in MATLAB for use in PSCAD/EMTDC. The latter simulates the power system and provides three-phase voltage and current measurements. MATLAB performs the effective power factor computation and sends the results back to PSCAD. A number of simulations are provided in this report to demonstrate the validity and the accuracy of this implementation. / text

This thesis investigates the feasibility of hybrid converter based arrangements for High Voltage direct current (HVdc) transmission systems. The conventional HVdc transmission systems, which use Line Commutated Converter (LCC) technology, require ac voltage and large amounts of reactive power to operate; Voltage-Sourced Converter (VSC) based HVdc schemes, on the other hand, while maintaining most of the advantages of LCC-based systems, have overcome a number of disadvantages inherent to conventional LCC systems. Their ability to provide voltage support to very weak ac networks through generating reactive power, while delivering real power, makes them an ideal option for providing reliable power to remote locations. These converters suffer disadvantages such as higher costs, sensitivity to dc-side faults, and smaller ratings in comparison to conventional converters. This research exploits a new approach and introduces a hybrid configuration of VSC and LCC converters. The hybrid converter combines the advantages of these two converter types, while trying to stay far from their disadvantages. The thesis investigates and discusses the benefits of using VSC-LCC hybrid converters for HVdc transmission systems in stations where support of ac voltage is mostly absent (very weak ac system). It concludes that Series Hybrid Converter (SHC) configuration is a promising option for very weak ac system applications comparing to Parallel Hybrid Converter (PHC) option. Using simplified mathematical models and extensive effort on digital time simulation with PSCAD / EMTDC program, the technical feasibility of implementing SHC has been demonstrated.

This thesis investigates the feasibility of hybrid converter based arrangements for High Voltage direct current (HVdc) transmission systems. The conventional HVdc transmission systems, which use Line Commutated Converter (LCC) technology, require ac voltage and large amounts of reactive power to operate; Voltage-Sourced Converter (VSC) based HVdc schemes, on the other hand, while maintaining most of the advantages of LCC-based systems, have overcome a number of disadvantages inherent to conventional LCC systems. Their ability to provide voltage support to very weak ac networks through generating reactive power, while delivering real power, makes them an ideal option for providing reliable power to remote locations. These converters suffer disadvantages such as higher costs, sensitivity to dc-side faults, and smaller ratings in comparison to conventional converters. This research exploits a new approach and introduces a hybrid configuration of VSC and LCC converters. The hybrid converter combines the advantages of these two converter types, while trying to stay far from their disadvantages. The thesis investigates and discusses the benefits of using VSC-LCC hybrid converters for HVdc transmission systems in stations where support of ac voltage is mostly absent (very weak ac system). It concludes that Series Hybrid Converter (SHC) configuration is a promising option for very weak ac system applications comparing to Parallel Hybrid Converter (PHC) option. Using simplified mathematical models and extensive effort on digital time simulation with PSCAD / EMTDC program, the technical feasibility of implementing SHC has been demonstrated.

abstract: The past few decades have seen a consistent growth of distributed PV sources. Distributed PV, like other DG sources, can be located at or near load centers and provide benefits which traditional generation may lack. However, distribution systems were not designed to accommodate such power generation sources as these sources might lead to operational as well as power quality issues. A high penetration of distributed PV resources may lead to bi-directional power flow resulting in voltage swells, increased losses and overloading of conductors. Voltage unbalance is a concern in distribution systems and the effect of single-phase residential PV systems on voltage unbalance needs to be explored. Furthermore, the islanding of DGs presents a technical hurdle towards the seamless integration of DG sources with the electricity grid. The work done in this thesis explores two important aspects of grid inte-gration of distributed PV generation, namely, the impact on power quality and anti-islanding. A test distribution system, representing a realistic distribution feeder in Arizona is modeled to study both the aforementioned aspects. The im-pact of distributed PV on voltage profile, voltage unbalance and distribution sys-tem primary losses are studied using CYMDIST. Furthermore, a PSCAD model of the inverter with anti-island controls is developed and the efficacy of the anti-islanding techniques is studied. Based on the simulations, generalized conclusions are drawn and the problems/benefits are elucidated. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Electrical Engineering 2013