Every Moment Counts: Synchrophasors for Distribution Networks with Variable Resources

Chapter 34 in the textbook, "Renewable Energy Integration: Practical Management of Variability, Uncertainty and Flexibility

Performance Analysis of Discrete Wavelet Multitone Transceiver for Narrowband PLC in Smart Grid

Smart Grid is an abstract idea, which involves the utilization of powerlines for sensing, measurement, control and communication for efficient utilization and distribution of energy, as well as automation of meter reading, load management and capillary control of Green Energy resources connected to the grid. Powerline Communication (PLC) has assumed a new role in the Smart Grid scenario, adopting the narrowband PLC (NB-PLC) for a low cost and low data rate communication for applications such as, automatic meter reading, dynamic management of load, etc. In this paper, we have proposed and simulated a discrete wavelet multitone (DWMT) transceiver in the presence of impulse noise for the NB-PLC channel applications in Smart Grid. The simulation results show that a DWMT transceiver outperforms a DFT-DMT with reference to the bit error rate (BER) performance

A Local Control Approach to Voltage Regulation in Distribution Networks

This paper address the problem of voltage regulation in power distribution networks with deep penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs) without any explicit communication between the buses in the network. We cast the problem as an optimization problem with the objective of minimizing the distance between the bus voltage magnitudes and some reference voltage profile. We present an iterative algorithm where each bus updates the reactive power injection provided by their DER. The update at a bus only depends on the voltage magnitude at that bus, and for this reason, we call the algorithm a local control algorithm. We provide sufficient conditions that guarantee the convergence of the algorithm and these conditions can be checked a priori for a set of feasible power injections. We also provide necessary conditions establishing that longer and more heavily loaded networks are inherently more difficult to control. We illustrate the operation of the algorithm through case studies involving 8-,34- and 123-bus test distribution systems.Comment: shorter version submitted to NAPS 201

EcoBlock: Grid Impacts, Scaling, and Resilience

Widespread deployment of EcoBlocks has the potential to transform today's electricity system into one that is more resilient, flexible, efficient and sustainable. In this vision, the system will consist of self- su cient, renewable-powered, block-scale entities that can deliberately adjust their net power exchange and can optimize performance, maintain stability, support each other, or disconnect entirely from the grid as needed. This report is intended as an independent analysis of the potential relationships, both constructive and adverse, between EcoBlocks and the grid

An Assessment of PIER Electric Grid Research 2003-2014 White Paper

This white paper describes the circumstances in California around the turn of the 21st century that led the California Energy Commission (CEC) to direct additional Public Interest Energy Research funds to address critical electric grid issues, especially those arising from integrating high penetrations of variable renewable generation with the electric grid. It contains an assessment of the beneficial science and technology advances of the resultant portfolio of electric grid research projects administered under the direction of the CEC by a competitively selected contractor, the University of California’s California Institute for Energy and the Environment, from 2003-2014