Browsing by Author "Tam, Kwa-Sur"
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- Applications of superconducting magnetic energy storage systems in power systemsKumar, Prem (Virginia Tech, 1989-08-05)A Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) system is a very efficient storage device capable of storing large amounts of energy. The primary applications it has been considered till now are load-leveling and system stabilization.This thesis explores new applications/benefits of SMES in power systems. Three areas have been identified. • Using SMES in conjunction with PV systems.SMES because of their excellent dynamic response and PV being an intermittent source complement one another.A scheme for this hybrid system is developed and simulation done accordingly. • Using SMES in an Asynchronous link between Power Systems. SMES when used in a series configuration between two or more systems combines the benefits of asynchronous connection, interconnection and energy storage. A model of such a scheme has been developed and the control of such a scheme is demonstrated using the EMTP. The economic benefits of this scheme over pure power interchange, SMES operation alone and a battery/dc link is shown. Improvement of transmission through the use of SMES. SMES when used for diurnal load leveling provides additional benefits like reduced transmission losses, reduced peak loading and more effective utilization of transmission facility, the impact of size and location on these benefits were studied, and if used as an asynchronous link provides power flow control.
- Control and operation of SMES and SMES/PV systemsForeman, Mark McKinney (Virginia Tech, 1992-08-05)Applications, converter topologies, and control schemes are examined for superconductive magnetic energy storage (SMES) systems. Diurnal load leveling for electric utilities and compensation for fluctuations in photovoltaic (PV) power generation are the primary applications discussed. It is demonstrated that a SMES system implemented with standard AC/DC converters offers energy storage capacity large enough, and dynamic response fast enough, to compensate for PV fluctuations due to changes in weather conditions. The method of control is developed so that the charging and discharging of the SMES system are changed in response to PV fluctuations, and the combined SMESIPV power output is smooth and controllable. An innovative control scheme is introduced for SMES that can simultaneously regulate real power and voltage independently without hardware modifications to the standard ACIDC bridge arrangement normally used for coordinated control of real and reactive power. The combination of SMES and PV systems could benefit from DCIDC converters that take advantage of the DC nature of both. It is established that DClDC converters can respond with sufficient speed to handle variations in PV power. A converter topology is devised where two DC/DC converters in cascade effectively maintain a PV array at its maximum power point and simultaneously control a SMES system to compensate for PV fluctuations. An alternative cascade configuration of an AC/DC converter with a DCIDC converter is proposed that could significantly reduce the reactive power requirements and improve the operational characteristics of a large scale SMES system connected to the utility grid.
- Electric Distribution Reliability Analysis Considering Time-varying Load, Weather Conditions and Reconfiguration with Distributed GenerationZhu, Dan (Virginia Tech, 2007-03-27)This dissertation is a systematic study of electric power distribution system reliability evaluation and improvement. Reliability evaluation of electric power systems has traditionally been an integral part of planning and operation. Changes in the electric utility coupled with aging electric apparatus create a need for more realistic techniques for power system reliability modeling. This work presents a reliability evaluation technique that combines set theory and Graph Trace Analysis (GTA). Unlike the traditional Markov approach, this technique provides a fast solution for large system reliability evaluation by managing computer memory efficiently with iterators, assuming a single failure at a time. A reconfiguration for restoration algorithm is also created to enhance the accuracy of the reliability evaluation, considering multiple concurrent failures. As opposed to most restoration simulation methods used in reliability analysis, which convert restoration problems into mathematical models and only can solve radial systems, this new algorithm seeks the reconfiguration solution from topology characteristics of the network itself. As a result the new reconfiguration algorithm can handle systems with loops. In analyzing system reliability, this research takes into account time-varying load patterns, and seeks approaches that are financially justified. An exhaustive search scheme is used to calculate optimal locations for Distributed Generators (DG) from the reliability point of view. A Discrete Ascent Optimal Programming (DAOP) load shifting approach is proposed to provide low cost, reliability improvement solutions. As weather conditions have an important effect on distribution component failure rates, the influence of different types of storms has been incorporated into this study. Storm outage models are created based on ten years' worth of weather and power outage data. An observer is designed to predict the number of outages for an approaching or on going storm. A circuit corridor model is applied to investigate the relationship between power outages and lightning activity.
- A feasibility study of an adaptive reclosing relayVaidyanathan, Sundararaman (Virginia Tech, 1988-10-15)Logic for an adaptive reclosing relay has been developed. The relay works correctly in a wide number of fault cases. The relay has the following distinguishing characteristics : (a) Reclosing into a three phase fault is avoided under all circumstances. (b) The logic is applicable only for circuit breakers which. have reclosing on individual phases. (c) The relay works correctly in the case of both (shunt) compensated and uncompensated lines.
- Forecast Results (Test Results for FaaS Framework)Tam, Kwa-Sur (2014-04-03)Forecast results received by an user of the FaaS Framework.
- Generalized Average-Current-Mode Control of Single-Phase AC-DC Boost Converters with Power Factor CorrectionLouganski, Konstantin (Virginia Tech, 2007-02-05)The dissertation presents a generalized average-current-mode control technique (GACMC), which is an extension of the average-current-mode control (ACMC) for single-phase ac-dc boost converters with power factor correction (PFC). Traditional ACMC is generalized in a sense that it offers improved performance in the form of significant reduction of the current control loop bandwidth requirement for a given line frequency in unidirectional and bidirectional boost PFC converters, and additional functionality in the form of reactive power control capability in bidirectional converters. These features allow using a relatively low switching frequency and slow-switching power devices such as insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) in boost PFC converters, including those designed for higher ac line frequencies such as in aircraft power systems (360–800 Hz). In bidirectional boost PFC converters, including multilevel topologies, the GACMC offers a capability to supply a prescribed amount of reactive power (with leading or lagging current) independently of the dc load power, which allows the converter to be used as a static reactive power compensator in the power system. A closed-loop dynamic model for the current control loop of the boost PFC converter with the ACMC has been developed. The model explains the structure of the converter input admittance, the current phase lead phenomenon, and lays the groundwork for development of the GACMC. The leading phase admittance cancellation (LPAC) principle has been proposed to completely eliminate the current phase lead phenomenon and, consequently, the zero-crossing distortion in unidirectional converters. The LPAC technique has been adapted for active compensation of the input filter capacitor current in bidirectional boost PFC converters. The dynamic model of the current control loop for bidirectional boost PFC converters was augmented to include a reactive power controller. The proposed control strategy enables the converter to process reactive power and, thus, be used as a reactive power compensator, independently of the converter operation as an ac-dc converter. Multiple realizations of the reactive power controller have been identified and examined in a systematic way, along with their merits and limitations, including susceptibility to the ac line noise. Frequency response characteristics of reactive elements emulated by means of these realizations have been described. Theoretical principles and practical solutions developed in this dissertation have been experimentally verified using unidirectional and bidirectional converter prototypes. Experimental results demonstrated validity of the theory and proposed practical implementations of the GACMC.
- Generic Flow Algorithm for Analysis of Interdependent Multi-Domain Distributed Network SystemsFeinauer, Lynn Ralph (Virginia Tech, 2009-10-16)Since the advent of the computer in the late 1950s, scientists and engineers have pushed the limits of the computing power available to them to solve physical problems via computational simulations. Early computer languages evaluated program logic in a sequential manner, thereby forcing the designer to think of the problem solution in terms of a sequential process. Object-oriented analysis and design have introduced new concepts for solving systems of engineering problems. The term object-oriented was first introduced by Alan Kay [1] in the late 1960s; however, mainstream incorporation of object-oriented programming did not occur until the mid- to late 1990s. The principles and methods underlying object-oriented programming center around objects that communicate with one another and work together to model the physical system. Program functions and data are grouped together to represent the objects. This dissertation extends object-oriented modeling concepts to model algorithms in a generic manner for solving interconnected, multi-domain problems. This work is based on an extension of Graph Trace Analysis (GTA) which was originally developed in the 1990's for power distribution system design. Because of GTA's ability to combine and restructure analysis methodologies from a variety of problem domains, it is now being used for integrated power distribution and transmission system design, operations and control. Over the last few years research has begun to formalize GTA into a multidiscipline approach that uses generic algorithms and a common model-based analysis framework. This dissertation provides an overview of the concepts used in GTA, and then discusses the main problems and potential generic algorithm based solutions associated with design and control of interdependent reconfigurable systems. These include: • Decoupling analysis into distinct component and system level equations. • Using iterator based topology management and algorithms instead of matrices. • Using composition to implement polymorphism and simplify data management. • Using dependency components to structure analysis across different systems types. • Defining component level equations for power, gas and fluid systems in terms of across and though variables. This dissertation presents a methodology for solving interdependent, multi-domain networks with generic algorithms. The methodology enables modeling of very large systems and the solution of the systems can be accomplished without the need for matrix solvers. The solution technique incorporates a binary search algorithm for accelerating the solution of looped systems. Introduction of generic algorithms enables the system solver to be written such that it is independent of the system type. Example fluid and electrical systems are solved to illustrate the generic nature of the approach.
- Integrated System Model Reliability Evaluation and Prediction for Electrical Power Systems: Graph Trace Analysis Based SolutionsCheng, Danling (Virginia Tech, 2009-09-09)A new approach to the evaluation of the reliability of electrical systems is presented. In this approach a Graph Trace Analysis based approach is applied to integrated system models and reliability analysis. The analysis zones are extended from the traditional power system functional zones. The systems are modeled using containers with iterators, where the iterators manage graph edges and are used to process through the topology of the graph. The analysis provides a means of computationally handling dependent outages and cascading failures. The effects of adverse weather, time-varying loads, equipment age, installation environment, operation conditions are considered. Sequential Monte Carlo simulation is used to evaluate the reliability changes for different system configurations, including distributed generation and transmission lines. Historical weather records and loading are used to update the component failure rates on-the-fly. Simulation results are compared against historical reliability field measurements. Given a large and complex plant to operate, a real-time understanding of the networks and their situational reliability is important to operational decision support. This dissertation also introduces using an Integrated System Model in helping operators to minimize real-time problems. A real-time simulation architecture is described, which predicts where problems may occur, how serious they may be, and what is the possible root cause.
- Magnet design considerations for superconductive magnetic energy storageVarghese, Philip (Virginia Tech, 1992)Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) offers many advantages over conventional forms of energy storage. The higher unit costs of SMES make it economically feasible only for large-scale applications (5000 MWh or more). Early studies showed that low aspect ratio solenoids have the lowest overall costs and most of the subsequent research and conceptual design was centered around low to moderate aspect ratio solenoidal designs. Toroids, poloids and force-reduced magnets are some alternate magnet structures that can be used for SMES but have not received much attention. These structures have some advantages over solenoidal designs such as lower peak fields with greater energy storage capability (poloid), lower support structure requirement (force-reduced magnet) and zero external field (toroid). For some applications of SMES such as pulsed power for fusion reactors or particle accelerators, where the large external field of the solenoid may be unacceptable but the fast response and high efficiency of SMES are required, alternate magnet structures or geometries must be used even if the costs are somewhat higher. Therefore it is useful to study the relative costs of each magnet structure in order to choose a suitable magnet structure for a given application. Four magnet structures viz. the solenoid, toroid, poloid and a force-reduced magnet are evaluated for their energy storage capability, support structure requirements and stray field characteristics. The variation of these parameters with the geometry of the magnet as well as the size of the SMES system are also studied. The objective of this study is to provide a quantitative comparison of important magnet parameters as well as to develop a simple procedure for the preliminary magnetic design of SMES magnets of any size, based on the detailed analysis of a reference design. Due to the high costs of SMES particularly for smaller sizes, it is important to optimize magnet design as well as to look for new magnet configurations to make SMES more cost effective. Superconductor and support structure material are major components of the overall cost of SMES magnets. Various methods of optimizing these parameters are explored. Force-reduced magnets have attracted some controversy in SMES research due to various claims made for and against them. The virial theorem and its implications for force-reduced magnets are analyzed with reference to a specific force-reduced configuration and it is shown that the claims that force-reduced magnets do not offer any savings in structure are unjustified. Methods for further reducing the structure requirements in force-reduced magnets and toroidal magnets are discussed. Due to the unique and highly desirable characteristic of zero stray field of toroidal magnets, it is important to seek ways of increasing its energy storage capability. A variational problem is formulated to determine the optimal cross-sectional shape which maximizes the stored energy with a given quantity of superconductor. The optimal shape stores 16 p.c. more energy than the circular cross section toroid and is shown to be identical to the structurally superior constant tension D shape. The desired characteristics of an ideal SMES magnet are shown to be a uniform magnetic field within a closed magnet configuration. A twisted toroidal magnet combining the features of an ideal solenoid and the general toroidal configuration is studied as a candidate for the ideal magnet. Geometric arguments are used to prove that no such closed surface can be found in three dimensions with the minimum smoothness conditions required from physical considerations.
- Modeling and analysis of spacecraft battery charger systemsKim, Seong Joong (Virginia Tech, 1991-04-01)Large-signal analysis of various spacecraft power systems is performed to predict the bus dynamics in various modes of operation. The large-signal trajectories of the system's operating point are analyzed employing qualitative graphical representation. The analyses are verified through simulation using EASY5 software. Small-signal dynamic characteristics of spacecraft battery charge converter systems are analyzed to facilitate the design of control loop for optimum performance and stability. Control-loop designs for the charge converters in bus voltage regulation mode, charge current regulation mode, and peak power tracking mode are discussed.
- Non-Negative Least Square Optimization Model for Industrial Peak Load EstimationModa, Hari Priya (Virginia Tech, 2009-12-04)Load research is the study of load characteristics on a power distribution system which helps planning engineer make decisions about equipment ratings and future expansion decisions. As it is expensive to collect and maintain data across the entire system, data is collected only for a sample of customers, where the sample is divided into groups based upon the customer class. These sample measurements are used to calculate the load research factors like kWHr-to-peak kW conversion factors, diversity factors and 24 hour average consumption as a function of class, month and day type. These factors are applied to the commonly available monthly billing kW data to estimate load on the system. Among various customers on a power system, industrial customers form an important group for study as their annual kWHr consumption is among the highest. Also the errors with which the estimates are calculated are also highest for this class. Hence we choose the industrial class to demonstrate the Lawson-Hanson Non-Negative Least Square (NNLS) optimization technique to minimize the residual squared error between the estimated loads and the SCADA currents on the system. Five feeders with industrial dominant customers are chosen to demonstrate the improvement provided by the NNLS model. The results showed significant improvement over the Nonlinear Load Research Estimation (NLRE) method.
- Protection system representation in the Electromagnetic Transients ProgramChaudhary, Arvind K. S. (Virginia Tech, 1991-10-11)This work concerns the addition of the few critical elements of a protection system to the Electromagnetic Transients Program (EMTP). The EMTP is one of the most widely used programs for the simulation of transients in power systems. The EMTP contains models for almost every major power system component. A protection system consists of instrument transformers, relays, and circuit breakers. Models for current transformers and capacitor voltage transformers are developed, validated, and incorporated in EPRI/DCG EMTP Version 2.0. The user can define the values of the current transformer and capacitor voltage transformer parameters. Total Fortran capability has been added to EMTP; new subroutines and an inbuilt structure to allow the linking of user defined Fortran subroutines with the main EMTP are explained. This capability is necessary to simulate computer relay algorithms. The outputs of the algorithms can be passed to the EMTP, which enables the study of the dynamic interaction between the power system and the protection system. Models of specific relays for line protection (SLY12C) and transformer differential protection (BDD15B) are also available. The relay models can be used with different settings. These new features in EMTP together constitute the critical elements of a protection system. Thus, it is now possible to simulate the dynamic interactions between a power system and a protection system.