Within the past decade, talk has arisen of shifting the utility grid from centralized, radial sources to a distributed network of sources, also known as distributed generation (DG); in the wake of deregulation, the California energy crisis, and northeastern blackouts. Existing control techniques for DG systems are designed to operate a system either in the connected or disconnected (islanding) mode to the utility; thus not allowing for both modes to be implemented and transitioned between. Existing detection and re-closure algorithms can also be improved upon. Dependent upon the method implemented, detection algorithms can either cause distortions in the output or completely miss a disturbance. The present re-closure process to reconnect to the utility is to completely shutdown and wait five minutes. The proposed methods of this study improve upon existing methods, via simulation and hardware experimentation, for DG systems that can intentionally islanding themselves. The proposed, "switched-mode", control allows for continuous operation of the system during disturbances by transitioning the mode of control to reflect the change in the system mode (grid-connected or islanding). This allows for zero downtimes without detrimental transients. The proposed detection method can sense disturbances that other methods cannot; and within 25 ms (approximately 1.5 line-cycles at 60 Hz). This method is an improvement over other methods because it eliminates the need to purposely distort the outputs to sense a disturbance. The proposed re-closure method is an improvement over the existing method due to the fact that it does not require the system to de-energize before re-synchronizing and reconnecting to the utility. This allows for DGs to continuously supply power to the system without having to shut down. Results show that the system is generally ready to reconnect after 2 to 5 line cycles. / Master of Science

L’intégration des producteurs décentralisés (DG) dans un réseau de distribution peut modifier le profil de tension et influencer le réglage de tension conventionnel. Pour le bon fonctionnement du réseau, le raccordement des DG ainsi que les charges grosses sont limités par le dimensionnement du réseau. Les travaux de cette thèse ont pour but de proposer une approche du réglage de tension dans un réseau de distribution avec producteur, en appuyant sur la flexibilité de la demande. Les moyens de réglage de tension seront constitués du régleur en charge (OLTC), la régulation de DG ainsi que la demande flexible. Une optimisation centralisée de type MINLP est proposée pour coordonner ces moyens de réglage. Il est montré que si les moyens de l’OLTC et de la puissance réactive ne suffissent pas de lever la contrainte de tension, il faut réduire la puissance active de producteur. Pour le gain de producteur, la demande flexible peut être considérée comme une source active. La modulation de « demand response » (DR) utilisant les charges thermiques est alors proposée au réglage de tension. L’effet de rebond est pris en compte pour les charges thermiques afin de ne pas affecter le profil de tension après l’action de DR. Ces travaux permettent d’envisager un réglage de tension plus active dans le réseau intelligent et augmenter la flexibilité du réseau. / Growth of distributed generations (DG) in actual distribution networks will bring voltage issues that cannot be fixed by conventional voltage control means. For the sake of network safety, the size of DG and load in a distribution network is limited by the network parameters. The research described in this thesis aims to propose a voltage control strategy on distribution networks using the flexibility of demand. The voltage control means will consist of the on load tap changer (OLTC), the regulation of DG, and flexible demand. A centralized optimization of MINLP type is proposed to coordinate these voltage control means. It shows if it is not able to remove the voltage constraint with OLTC and reactive power regulation, then it must reduce the active power of DG. In order not to reduce active power of DG, the flexible demand is considered as an active source to take part in voltage control. The demand response (DR) modulation using thermal loads is thus proposed for voltage control. For the thermal load, the cold load pick-up (CLPU) effect must be taken into account in order not to affect the voltage profile after DR action. This work allows us to consider a voltage control strategy more active in smart distribution network and improve the flexibility of network.

[pt] O tema abordado neste trabalho é a observação e análise, em regime permanente e dinâmico, da ocorrência de um fenômeno que já foi observado em condições reais de operação do sistema elétrico brasileiro, que é a relação oposta entre a tensão de excitação de geradores e compensadores síncronos e a tensão controlada. Nessas situações, a capacidade nominal de um gerador / compensador síncrono, por exemplo, não seria útil para manter a tensão controlada. Em virtude da relação oposta, um aumento na excitação da máquina abaixaria a tensão controlada. O controle automático continuaria agindo, abaixando ainda mais a tensão. Este mecanismo pode levar o sistema ao colapso. A abordagem do problema baseou-se na verificação do comportamento do gerador / compensador como dispositivo de controle de tensão, em regime permanente e dinâmico, ante as diversas situações normais de um sistema elétrico, tais como variações do valor da tensão de referência (tensão controlada) e de carga. A análise em regime permanente utilizou um algoritmo de fluxo de carga, enquanto a análise em regime dinâmico utilizou a simulação no domínio do tempo. A real existência do fenômeno foi comprovada através de várias destas análises, mostrando inclusive a mudança da região de operação em algumas delas. Em outros casos, os resultados da análise em regime permanente não coincidiram com os da análise em regime dinâmico. / [en] The aim of this work is to investigate, in steady state and dynamic performance, the phenomenon of the opposite relationship, already observed at real operation conditions of the Brazilian Electric System, between generators and synchronous compensators excitation voltage and the controlled one. In these situations, the generator / synchronous compensator nominal capacity, for example, would not be useful to keep the voltage controlled. Due the opposite relationship, an increase in the excitation voltage would reduce the controlled voltage. The automatic control would keep acting and reducing more the voltage. This mechanism can lead the system to the collapse. The study of this problem was based in the generator / compensator behavior as a control voltage device, in steady- state and dynamic performance, front of several operation situations of electric power system, like reference voltage (controlled voltage) variation and load changing. The steady state analysis used a load flow algorithm, while the time domain simulation was utilized for the dynamic performance analysis. The real existence of the phenomenon was verified through these analyses, emphasizing the operation region changing in some of them. In other cases, the analyses results in the steady-state were different of the dynamic performance results.

The ship emission already occupy the eighth position in the world biggest emitters ranking. This happens because the ship operations have a huge demand variation therefore in order to reduce the ship emissions is required an efficient operation of the generators. This work aims at integrating advanced storage systems into the operation of diesel generators. The variation of the operation point has a direct interference on the emissions and on the diesel consumption, this variation is allowed through the frequency and voltage control. The use of lithium batteries for various operation points of the generators is analyzed. The use of an energy storage system allowed the operation of the generators in a better operation point therefore there was a reduction in diesel consumption and in CO2 emissions when the diesel generators. The main result of this work could also shed light in the operation of isolated power systems equipped with advanced storage systems and diesel generators. / As emissões dos navios já ocupam a oitava posição entre os países com maior emissão no mundo. Isso pode ser explicado pelo fato de que as operações dos navios têm uma grande variação de demanda de potência, com isso a operação inteligente dos geradores a diesel é fundamental para a redução das emissões. A abordagem desenvolvida nesse trabalho integra o uso de sistemas de armazenamento avançados na operação dos geradores a diesel. A variação do ponto de operação dos geradores a diesel interfere diretamente no consumo e nas emissões, essa variação só é possível por meio do controle de frequência e tensão providos pelo sistema de armazenamento de energia. Nesse trabalho foram analisados o uso de baterias de lítio para diferentes pontos de operação do gerador a diesel. O uso das baterias possibilitou a operação dos geradores num melhor ponto de carga com isso houve uma redução das emissões e do consumo de combustível. Os resultados encontrados nesse trabalho podem ser extrapolados qualitativamente para outros sistemas de potência offshore, como plataformas de petróleo e de perfuração, que operem com sistemas de baterias avançadas e geradores a diesel.

Com o advento da geração distribuída foi permitido aos sistemas de distribuição a possibilidade de operação de forma ilhada dos sistemas interligados de grande porte. Apesar de suas vantagens, do ponto de vista técnico, ainda existe uma série de desafios que necessitam ser superados para a plena aplicação desse conceito. Um desses desafios é definido pela transição dos modos operativos dos geradores distribuídos durante o processo de ilhamento. Da forma em que é reportada na literatura, infere-se que tal transição é realizada de um modo inadequado, amplificando os transitórios observados nas grandezas do gerador distribuído - e por consequência, da rede em que o mesmo se conecta - durante o processo de ilhamento, o que não é desejável. No contexto apresentado, a principal contribuição desta pesquisa está em propor uma estrutura híbrida de controle a ser aplicada aos sistemas de excitação de geradores síncronos que operam em sistemas de distribuição que permitem a operação ilhada de determinadas porções de suas redes. A principal característica da estrutura proposta está em atenuar os transitórios das variáveis do gerador controlado durante o processo de ilhamento. Além disso, o arranjo da estrutura proposta estabelece um compromisso entre a potência reativa e a tensão terminal do gerador controlado, quando o mesmo opera em paralelo com os sistemas interligados de grande porte. Nessa condição, o sistema de controle mantém a potência reativa próxima da referência ajustada atendendo a uma faixa adequada de valores de tensão terminal. / With the advent of distributed generation, the possibility of autonomous operation regarding the bulk power systems was allowed to the distribution systems. Despite its advantages, from the technical point of view, there are lots of challenges that need to be overcome for the full application of this concept. One of these challenges is the transition of distributed generators operating modes during the islanding process. Based in the literature survey, it is inferred that transition is performed in a wrong way, which amplifies the transients in controlled generator quantities and consequently, of the network connected to it during the islanding process, which is undesirable. In this context, the main contribution of this research is the proposal of a hybrid control structure to be applied to the excitation systems of synchronous generators that operate in distribution systems whose islanded operation of determined portions of its grids is permitted. The main characteristic of the proposed structure is the attenuation of transients of the controlled generator quantities during the islanding process. Furthermore, the design of this structure provides a compromise between the generator reactive power and terminal voltage when it operates in parallel with the bulk power systems. That way, the control system maintains the reactive power close to the adjusted reference attending an appropriate range of terminal voltage values.

Orientador: Jose Roberto Sanches Mantovani / Resumo: Neste trabalho, propõe-se uma nova metodologia para abordar de forma integrada os problemas de restauração automática e sequenciamento de operação de abertura e fechamento de chaves em redes de distribuição de grande porte. Na literatura os problemas de restauração e sequência de chaveamentos são normalmente considerados de forma separada e sequencial, em que o resultado do algoritmo de restauração é o dado de entrada para o algoritmo que gera a sequência de chaveamento. A inconsistência com esta abordagem é que não necessariamente o resultado convencional do algoritmo de restauração (conjunto de chaves que devem ser manobradas), é o melhor dado de entrada para o algoritmo que elabora o sequenciamento ótimo de abertura/fechamento das chaves. Isso porque quando ambos os problemas são resolvidos separadamente, eles possuem funções objetivos diferentes. O problema de restauração tem por objetivo minimizar a quantidade de carga desconectada com o menor número de chaveamentos possíveis, enquanto que o problema de sequenciamento de chaves tem o objetivo de reduzir a energia não suprida no sistema durante um evento de falta permanente. Uma nova abordagem baseada na meta-heurística de Busca Tabu com Vizinhança Variável Reativa é proposta para explorar o espaço de busca do problema em análise, simultaneamente com uma nova heurística para gerar a sequência de chaveamento em sistemas de grande porte com milhares de nós de carga. A existência em operação na rede de controle de equipament... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: In this work, a new methodology is proposed to address, in an integrated approach, the automatic restoration problem and the switching sequence problem for large scale distribution networks. In the literature, the restoration and switching sequence problems are usually addressed separately and sequentially. Thus, the result of the distribution restoration algorithm is the initial data for the switching sequence algorithm. The inconsistency with this approach is that, not necessarily the conventional result of the restoration algorithm (a set of switches to be maneuvered) is the best initial data for the switching sequence algorithm. It is explained by the fact that both problems have different objective functions. The distribution restoration problem aims to minimize the amount of disconnected load with the fewest number of possible switching, whereas the switching sequence problem aims to minimize the energy not supplied in the network after a permanent fault. A new approach based on the Tabu Search with Reactive Variable Neighborhood meta-heuristic is proposed to explore the search space of the problem, along with a new heuristic to generate the switching sequence in large size distribution systems with thousands of load buses. The presence of voltage control devices, as switched capacitors and voltage regulators, are considered to improve the quality of solutions. The presence of distributed generation with black start capability is also considered. The cold load pick up c... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Os métodos convencionais para o controle de tensão concentram-se na média tensão. Em alguns casos não são suficientes para a correção da tensão na rede secundária. Este trabalho apresenta os problemas relacionados à regulação de tensão na baixa tensão, os métodos convencionais para correção da tensão e uma estratégia para o controle de tensão na rede secundária de sistema de distribuição de energia elétrica. A solução final proposta é um conjunto de transformador com taps no lado de baixa tensão, hardware e software que promovem a comutação das derivações do transformador de forma automática. Para o desenvolvimento dessa estratégia será abordada a aplicação de sistemas inteligentes, o sistema fuzzy, e a estimação de modelos elétricos dos transformadores de distribuição. O objetivo desse produto é ser uma solução prática, viável técnica e economicamente para a regulação da tensão em cenários onde os métodos convencionais não o são. Os protótipos dessa solução foram montados e testados em laboratório e em campo e os resultados atenderam ao objetivo proposto. / The conventional methods for voltage control concentrated in medium voltage. In some case, they are not enough to correct the voltage on secondary grid of distribuition. This paper presents a strategy to control the voltage on the low voltage of the distribution grid. As proposed for dealing of this problem is made the presentation of an architecture for the intelligent automatic control, that is composed of distribuition transformer with tap on the low side, hardware and software. For the development of this strategy will be approached the application the intelligent systems, Fuzzy Systems, and the estimation of electrical model of distribuition transformers. The goal with this design is to provide grants to set up a system for regulating the voltage on the low side which is technically and economically feasible to be deployed where conventional solutions, with the inclusion of line regulators, are not.

A operação de um Sistema Elétrico de Potência é complexa, principalmente, devido ao grande número de restrições impostas às variáveis e às grandezas do sistema, sejam elas de natureza física ou de requisito para a qualidade e a continuidade do fornecimento de energia elétrica entregue aos consumidores. O gerenciamento das tensões e dos fluxos de potência, ativa e reativa, é crucial para que o SEP opere de modo seguro, com qualidade e com o menor custo. O gerenciamento, das tensões e das potências, é realizado através dos ajustes dos dispositivos de controle do SEP, contudo, determinar os estados dos dispositivos controlados do SEP não é uma tarefa trivial. A determinação dos estados dos dispositivos controlados torna-se ainda mais difícil, pois, para garantir o fornecimento, de energia elétrica, contínuo e de qualidade, diversos cenários (contingências) devem ser analisados e as ações de controle impostas ao SEP devem satisfazer todos os requisitos operacionais do SEP para todos os cenários. Diversos blecautes ocorreram devido à instabilidade de tensão no SEP e quando estão em condições de alto carregamento, o problema torna-se ainda mais evidente. Este trabalho propõe uma ferramenta computacional para o planejamento das ações de controles de reativo e tensão em Sistemas Elétricos de Potência que mantenham, ao longo do dia, as variáveis e as grandezas do sistema dentro da região factível de operação e, ainda, garantam margem de estabilidade de tensão suficiente para que o colapso de tensão seja evitado. Para desenvolver esta ferramenta, o problema de planejamento de controle de tensão e reativo foi formulado como um problema de otimização, onde, neste problema, dois objetivos e metodologias foram realizados. No primeiro, buscou-se determinar os estados dos dispositivos controlados que minimizassem as perdas nas linhas de transmissão dentro de um intervalo de tempo e de potência e, no segundo, determinar os estados dos dispositivos controlados que mantivessem as variáveis e grandezas do sistema dentro da região factível durante o maior intervalo de potência, minimizando, assim, as mudanças nas ações de controle do SEP. Também foi proposta, neste trabalho, uma metodologia para identificação de contingências críticas do SEP. Os resultados obtidos através das resoluções dos problemas indicaram que as formulações propostas são capazes de determinar os estados dos dispositivos controlados do sistema ao longo do dia, de modo a garantir que não ocorressem violações nas restrições operacionais do sistema enquanto houvesse medidas de controle, onde foi considerado o caso base e uma lista de contingências. Além disso, as margens de estabilidade de tensão do caso base e das contingências foram sempre mantidas acima do valor de segurança especificado. Os resultados também mostraram que a metodologia para identificação da contingência crítica proposta é capaz de identificar a contingência que limita o crescimento de carga do sistema, de modo a garantir que o SEP esteja operando com o menor risco à instabilidade de tensão, mantendo as variáveis e as grandezas do sistema dentro da região factível para o maior número de cenários. / The operation of an Electric Power System is complex, mainly due to the great number of restrictions imposed on the variables and the magnitudes of the system, whether of a physical nature or a requirement for the quality and continuity of the electricity supply delivered to consumers. The management of voltage and the power flow, active and reactive, is crucial for the safely operation of the Electric Power System, with quality and low cost. The management of the voltages and powers is performed through the adjustments of the Electric Power System control devices, however, determine the states of the Electric Power System controlled devices is not a trivial task. The determination of the states of the controlled devices becomes even more difficult, since, to guarantee the supply of electricity, continuous and of quality, several scenarios (contingencies) must be analyzed and the control actions imposed on the Electric Power System must satisfy all the Electric Power System operational requirements for all scenarios. Several blackouts occurred due to the voltage instability in the Electric Power System and when they are in high load conditions, the problem becomes even more evident. This work proposes a computational tool for the planning of the actions of reactive and voltage controls in Electric Power Systems that maintain, throughout the day, the variables and the magnitudes of the system within the feasible region of operation and, also, guarantee voltage stability margin sufficient to avoid the voltage collapse. To develop this tool, the planning problem of voltage control and reactive control was formulated as an optimization problem, where, in this problem, two objectives and methodologies were used. In the first one, it was tried to determine the controlled devices states that minimize the transmission lines losses at a time and power interval, and, in the second, to determine the controlled devices states that maintain the variables and quantities of the system within feasible region during the largest power interval, thus the control actions changes in the Electric Power Systems are minimize. Was also proposed, in this work, a methodology for identify the critical contingencies of Electric Power Systems. The results obtained through problem resolutions indicated that the proposed formulations are able to determine the controlled devices states of the system throughout the day, so that there were no violations of the system\'s operational constraints while there were control measures, assessment the base case and a list of contingencies. In addition, the base case and contingencies voltage stability margins have always been maintained above the specified safety value. The results also showed that the methodology for the identification of the critical contingency is able to identify the contingency that limits the system load growth, in order to ensure that the Electric Power Systems is operating with the lowest risk to voltage instability, maintaining the system variables and magnitudes within the feasible region for the largest number of scenarios.

L’intégration des producteurs décentralisés (DG) dans un réseau de distribution peut modifier le profil de tension et influencer le réglage de tension conventionnel. Pour le bon fonctionnement du réseau, le raccordement des DG ainsi que les charges grosses sont limités par le dimensionnement du réseau. Les travaux de cette thèse ont pour but de proposer une approche du réglage de tension dans un réseau de distribution avec producteur, en appuyant sur la flexibilité de la demande. Les moyens de réglage de tension seront constitués du régleur en charge (OLTC), la régulation de DG ainsi que la demande flexible. Une optimisation centralisée de type MINLP est proposée pour coordonner ces moyens de réglage. Il est montré que si les moyens de l’OLTC et de la puissance réactive ne suffissent pas de lever la contrainte de tension, il faut réduire la puissance active de producteur. Pour le gain de producteur, la demande flexible peut être considérée comme une source active. La modulation de « demand response » (DR) utilisant les charges thermiques est alors proposée au réglage de tension. L’effet de rebond est pris en compte pour les charges thermiques afin de ne pas affecter le profil de tension après l’action de DR. Ces travaux permettent d’envisager un réglage de tension plus active dans le réseau intelligent et augmenter la flexibilité du réseau. / Growth of distributed generations (DG) in actual distribution networks will bring voltage issues that cannot be fixed by conventional voltage control means. For the sake of network safety, the size of DG and load in a distribution network is limited by the network parameters. The research described in this thesis aims to propose a voltage control strategy on distribution networks using the flexibility of demand. The voltage control means will consist of the on load tap changer (OLTC), the regulation of DG, and flexible demand. A centralized optimization of MINLP type is proposed to coordinate these voltage control means. It shows if it is not able to remove the voltage constraint with OLTC and reactive power regulation, then it must reduce the active power of DG. In order not to reduce active power of DG, the flexible demand is considered as an active source to take part in voltage control. The demand response (DR) modulation using thermal loads is thus proposed for voltage control. For the thermal load, the cold load pick-up (CLPU) effect must be taken into account in order not to affect the voltage profile after DR action. This work allows us to consider a voltage control strategy more active in smart distribution network and improve the flexibility of network.

The increasing awareness on the effect of carbon emissions in our planet has led to several countries to adopt targets for their reduction. One way of contributing to this aim is to use and distribute electricity more efficiently. In this context, Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR), a well-known technique that takes advantage of the positive correlation between voltage and demand to reduce energy consumption, is gaining renewed interest. This technique saves energy by only reducing customer voltages, without relying on customer actions and, therefore, can be controlled by the Distribution Network Operator (DNO). CVR not only brings benefits to the electricity system by reducing generation requirements (fewer fossil fuel burning and carbon emissions), but also to customers, as energy bill reductions. The extent to which CVR can bring benefits mainly depends on the customers load composition and their voltages. While the former dictates the voltage-demand correlation, the latter constraints the voltage reduction that can be applied without violating statutory limits. Although CVR has been studied for many years, most of the studies neglect the time-varying voltage-demand characteristic of loads and/or do not assess end customer voltages. While these simplifications could be used to estimate CVR benefits for fixed and limited voltage reductions, realistic load and network models are needed to assess the performance of active CVR schemes, where voltages are actively managed to be close to the minimum limit. Moreover, distribution networks have been traditionally designed with limited monitoring and controllability. Therefore, CVR has been typically implemented by adopting conservative voltage reductions from primary substations, for both American and European-style networks. However, as new infrastructure is deployed in European-style LV networks (focus of this work), such as monitoring and on-load tap changers (OLTCs), the opportunity arises to actively manage voltages closer to end customer (unlocking further energy savings). Although these technologies have shown to effectively control voltages in LV networks, their potential for CVR has not been assessed before. Additionally, most CVR studies were performed in a context where distributed generation (DG) was not common. However, this has changed in many countries, with residential photovoltaic (PV) systems becoming popular. As this is likely to continue, the interactions of residential PV and CVR need to be studied. This thesis contributes to address the aforementioned literature gaps by: (i) proposing a simulation framework to characterise the time-varying voltage-demand correlation of individual end customers; (ii) developing a process to model real distribution networks (MV and LV) from DNO data; (iii) adopting a Monte Carlo-based quantification process to cater for the uncertainties related to individual customer demand; (iv) assessing the CVR benefits that can be unlocked with new LV infrastructure and different PV conditions. To accomplish (iv), first, a simple yet effective rule-based scheme is proposed to actively control voltages in OLTC-enabled LV networks without PV and using limited monitoring. It is demonstrated that by controlling voltages closer to customers, annual energy savings can increase significantly, compared to primary substation voltage reductions. Also, to understand the effect of PV on CVR, a centralized, three-phase AC OPF-based CVR scheme is proposed. This control, using monitoring, OLTCs and capacitors across MV and LV networks, actively manages voltages to minimize energy consumption in high PV penetration scenarios whilst considering MV-LV constraints. Results demonstrate that without CVR, PV systems lead to higher energy imports for customers without PV, due to higher voltages. Conversely, the OPF-based CVR scheme can effectively manage voltages throughout the day, minimising energy imports for all customers. Moreover, if OLTCs at secondary substations are available (and managed in coordination with the primary substation OLTC), these tend to regulate customer voltages close to the minimum statutory limit (lower tap positions), while the primary OLTC delivers higher voltages to the MV network to also reduce MV energy losses.