Modeling toolkit for comparing AC vs. DC electrical distribution efficiency in buildings, A

2021 Summer.Includes bibliographical references.An increasing proportion of electrical devices in residential and commercial buildings operate from direct current (DC) power sources. In addition, distributed power generation systems such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage natively produce DC power. However, traditional power distribution is based on an alternating current (AC) model. Performing the necessary conversions between AC and DC power to make DC devices compatible with AC distribution results in energy losses. For these reasons, DC distribution may offer energy efficiency advantages in comparison to AC distribution. However, reasonably fast computation and comparison of electrical efficiencies of AC-only, DC-only, and hybrid AC/DC distributions systems is challenging because DC devices are typically (nonlinear) power-electronic converters that produce harmonic content. While detailed time-domain modeling can be used to simulate these harmonics, it is not computationally efficient or practical for many building designers. To address this need, this research describes a toolkit for computation of harmonic spectra and energy efficiency in mixed AC and DC electrical distribution systems, using a Harmonic Power Flow (HPF) methodology. The toolkit includes a library of two-port linear and nonlinear device models which can be used to construct and simulate an electrical distribution system. This dissertation includes a description of the mathematical theory and framework underlying the toolkit, development and fitting of linear and nonlinear device models, software implementation in Modelica, verification of the toolkit with laboratory measurements, and discussion of ongoing and future work to employ the toolkit to a variety of building designs

Selective Harmonics Elimination in Multilevel Inverter Using Bio-Inspired Intelligent Algorithms

Multilevel inverters are powerful electronic devices that are used for the conversion of DC input voltage into AC output voltage and mostly used in medium and high voltage operations. In these operations, pulse width modulation (PWM) frequency is distorted because of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and switching losses which are caused by dv/dt stress. To achieve a pure sinusoidal waveform at output of multilevel inverter is a primary purpose so that a smaller number of harmonic contents are produced. Selective harmonic elimination PWM technique is used in cascaded multilevel inverter for the mitigation of lower harmonics by solving nonlinear transcendental equations and maintains the required fundamental voltage. An objective function is derived from SHE problem to calculate switching angles. For the solution of objective function, optimization approach such as bio-inspired intelligent algorithms are used. In this paper, Genetic Algorithm (GA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Bee Algorithm (BA) are used to determine the optimum switching angles for cascaded multilevel inverters to get low total harmonic distortion (THD) in output voltage. These computed angles are analyzed in MATLAB simulation model to authenticate the results. And there will be direct comparison among these algorithms

Enhanced power flow methods in complex plane for VSC-MTDC hybrid AC/DC transmission grids

The power flow problem is composed of phasor variables and quantities and thus can be naturally formulated in the complex domain; however, their applications are commonly developed in the real domain. The solution via the Newton-Raphson method, for example, would be restricted in the real domain once the Taylor series expansion in terms of complex variables alone does not exist. Thanks to the Wirtinger calculus, a Newton-Raphson method based on Taylor series expansions of nonlinear functions of complex variables and their complex conjugates becomes possible. As new technologies are implemented in power systems, such as the incorporation of FACTS devices, the development of power flow applications becomes increasingly intricate, and maintaining their formulations in the real domain is preceded by an arduous algebra task. To overcome this difficulty, a series of power flow solution methods are proposed in this work, specified to solve multiterminal AC/DC hybrid systems, being formulated in the complex plane without any loss of precision. Both sequential and unified approaches for solving hybrid AC/DC power flow are derived in the complex plane. In order to improve the performance of the algorithms, an exact second-order power flow algorithm in the complex domain is also proposed. Such power flow models in the complex plane are naturally developed in Cartesian coordinates; therefore, most constraint equations can be written as quadratic functions. Consequently, the Taylor series expansion stops at its second order and the exact non-linearity of complex quadratic power flow equations is maintained. Minor changes in the code structure are required to transform the Newton-Raphson method into the exact power flow approach in the complex plane. The new algorithm exhibits either a superior behavior in fully AC or hybrid AC/DC networks. In order to show the validity of its formulations, the proposed algorithms are implemented in Matlab for well-established case studies of the IEEE-14, -30, -57 and -118 bus, a modified version of the IEEE Two Area RTS-96, and the Brazilian Southern-equivalent of 1916-buses, termed as SIN-1916. The features and advantages of the proposed algorithms are illustrated through the test systems interconnected across a DC network prone to several scenarios, e.g., topology, voltage control, and interchanging of active power.O problema de fluxo de carga é composto por variáveis e grandezas fasoriais e pode ser naturalmente formulado no domínio complexo; porém, suas aplicações são comumente desenvolvidas no domínio real. A solução via o método de Newton-Raphson, por exemplo, estaria restrita ao domínio real uma vez que a expansão em séries d Taylor em termos somente das variáveis complexas não existe. Mas, graças ao cálculo de Wirtinger, um método de Newton-Raphson baseado em expansões em série de Taylor de funções não lineares de variáveis complexas e seus conjugados complexos se faz possível. A medida em que novas tecnologias são implementadas nos sistemas de potência, como a incorporação de dispositivos FACTS, o desenvolvimento de aplicações de fluxo de carga se torna cada vez mais complexa, e manter suas formulações no domínio real necessita de uma árdua tarefa de álgebra. Para superar esta dificuldade, uma série de métodos de solução de fluxo de potência é proposta neste trabalho, especificados para solucionar sistemas híbridos AC/DC multi-terminal, sendo formuladas no plano complexo sem qualquer perda de precisão. Tanto a abordagem sequencial quanto a unificada para a solução do fluxo de potência híbrido AC/DC são derivadas no plano complexo. Com o objetivo de melhorar o desempenho dos algoritmos, também é proposto um algoritmo exato de fluxo de potência de segunda ordem no domínio complexo. Tais modelos de fluxo de potência no plano complexo são naturalmente desenvolvidos em coordenadas cartesianas; logo, a maioria das equações de restrições pode ser escrita como funções quadráticas. Consequentemente, a expansão em séries de Taylor se encerra na sua segunda ordem e a não linearidade exata das equações complexas quadráticas de fluxo de potência é mantida. Pequenas alterações na estrutura do código são necessárias para transformar o método de Newton-Raphson na abordagem exata do fluxo de potência no plano complexo. O novo algoritmo exibe um comportamento superior em redes totalmente AC ou híbridas AC/DC. A fim de mostrar a validade de suas formulações, os algoritmos propostos são implementados em Matlab para estudos de casos bem estabelecidos dos sistemas teste IEEE-14, -30, -57 e -118 barras, uma versão modificada do sistema de duas áreas IEEE RTS-96, e o sistema interligado nacional SIN-1916 barras. As características e vantagens dos algoritmos propostos são ilustradas através dos sistemas teste interligados através de uma rede DC propensa a vários cenários sob diferentes topologias, controles de tensão e injeções de potência ativa, por exemplo

Harmonic Analysis of Single Phase Bost Inverter Using Simulink Matlab

Harmonics are major problems in PWM drives due to the effects of EMI and High ripple factor derived from the converters, in this paper a study of harmonics and total harmonic distortion of a 3 phase PWM drive has been studied with the power generation by simulation model 6 phase wind turbine, A 6 phase converter converts the power generated by the wind turbine with low ripples, and minimize the effects of power factor. This model is recommended to drive the 3-phase induction moto

Model-Free Methods to Analyze Pmu Data in Real-Time for Situational Awareness and Stability Monitoring

This dissertation presents and evaluates model-free methodologies to process Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) data. Model-based PMU applications require knowledge of the system topology, most frequently the system admittance matrix. For large systems, the admittance matrix, or other system parameters, can be time-consuming to integrate into supporting PMU applications. These data sources are often sensitive and can require permissions to access, delaying the implementation of model-based approaches. This dissertation focuses on evaluating individual model-free applications to efficiently perform functions of interest to system operators for real-time situational awareness. Real-time situational awareness is evaluated with respect to central digitization where the PMU data is archived, and delays from telecommunication and system architecture are not considered. The PMU data available to utilities is often a subset of the overall system. Even without full observability, PMU data for observable portions of the system provides valuable, high-resolution information about the current system state. Methods are needed that can analyze and generate critical insight about the system in real-time to assist in detection and mitigation of major system events. All chapters address methodologies that can derive their output solely from the PMU signals. These methodologies are evaluated for their reliability and computational efficiency, considering a specific task of interest. Inter-area oscillations and poorly damped electromechanical modes are dangerous when undetected for extended periods of time, eventually leading to blackouts when unstable parameters are present. Prony Analysis and Matrix Pencil Method were selected in Chapter 4 for their proven effectiveness of estimating the dominant modes of an input signal; for purposes of this dissertation, the signal of interest for oscillation analysis is real power. The speed of convergence, accuracy of the methods, and viability when applied to utility PMU data were assessed to determine suitability to online system operation. Matrix Pencil Method was determined to provide more robust and computationally efficient estimation of key system modes for both simulated and real utility PMU data. The biorthogonal discrete wavelet transform, which can correlate frequency data to a time-domain solution, was utilized in Chapter 3 to create a methodology for event detection and classification for a subset of selected events. The derived methodology was shown to be effective for identification and classification of load and capacitor switch events, as well as breaker operation and faults. Methods to mimic the power flow Jacobian from discrete measurements are derived to assess system stability and eigenvalues in Chapter 2. These methods were effective for fast detection of unstable system parameters. Chapter 5, the most significant contribution of this dissertation, details derivations of a mathematical reduced system model and power flow Jacobian variants for more robust instability detection, system weak point identification, mitigation techniques, and state estimation capabilities. Considering the functions of all evaluated and developed model-free methodologies, event detection, event classification, detection of poorly damped oscillatory modes, and instability detection and mitigation can be achieved for situational awareness

Optimal aeroelastic trim for rotorcraft with constrained, non-unique trim solutions

New rotorcraft configurations are emerging, such as the optimal speed helicopter and slowed-rotor compound helicopter which, due to variable rotor speed and redundant lifting components, have non-unique trim solution spaces. The combination of controls and rotor speed that produce the best steady-flight condition is sought among all the possible solutions. This work develops the concept of optimal rotorcraft trim and explores its application to advanced rotorcraft configurations with non-unique, constrained trim solutions. The optimal trim work is based on the nonlinear programming method of the generalized reduced gradient (GRG) and is integrated into a multi-body, comprehensive aeroelastic rotorcraft code. In addition to the concept of optimal trim, two further developments are presented that allow the extension of optimal trim to rotorcraft with rotors that operate over a wide range of rotor speeds. The first is the concept of variable rotor speed trim with special application to rotors operating in steady autorotation. The technique developed herein treats rotor speed as a trim variable and uses a Newton-Raphson iterative method to drive the rotor speed to zero average torque simultaneously with other dependent trim variables. The second additional contribution of this thesis is a novel way to rapidly approximate elastic rotor blade stresses and strains in the aeroelastic trim analysis for structural constraints. For rotors that operate over large angular velocity ranges, rotor resonance and increased flapping conditions are encountered that can drive the maximum cross-sectional stress and strain to levels beyond endurance limits; such conditions must be avoided. The method developed herein captures the maximum cross-sectional stress/strain based on the trained response of an artificial neural network (ANN) surrogate as a function of 1-D beam forces and moments. The stresses/strains are computed simultaneously with the optimal trim and are used as constraints in the optimal trim solution. Finally, an optimal trim analysis is applied to a high-speed compound gyroplane configuration, which has two distinct rotor speed control methods, with the purpose of maximizing the vehicle cruise efficiency while maintaining rotor blade strain below endurance limit values.Ph.D.Committee Chair: Dimitri N. Mavris; Committee Co-Chair: Daniel P Schrage; Committee Member: David A. Peters; Committee Member: Dewey H. Hodges; Committee Member: J.V.R. Prasa

Magnetic field modelling of machine and multiple machine systems using dynamic reluctance mesh modelling

This thesis concerns the modified and improved, time-stepping, dynamic reluctance mesh (DRM) modelling technique for machines and its application to multiple machine systems with their control algorithms. Improvements are suggested which enable the stable solution of the resulting complex non-linear equations. The concept of finite element (FE) derived, overlap-curves has been introduced to facilitate the evaluation of the air-gap reluctances linking the teeth on the rotor to those on the stator providing good model accuracy and efficient computation. Motivated industrially, the aim of the work is to develop a fast and effective simulation tool principally for evaluating salient pole generator system designs including the generator, exciter and the automatic voltage regulator (AVR). The objective is to provide a modelling system capable of examining the detail of machine operation including saturation of main and leakage flux paths, slotting and space harmonics of the windings. Solutions are obtained in a sufficiently short computational time to facilitate efficient iterative design procedures in an industrial design office. The DRM modelling technique for electrical machines has been shown in this thesis to be a fast and efficient tool for electrical machine simulation. Predicted results for specific machine and system designs have been compared with FE solutions and with experimental results showing, that for engineering purposes, the technique yields excellent accuracy. The DRM method has a great advantage in multiple machine simulations. This is because magnetic field calculations are limited to evaluating only the most important information so saving computation time. A brushless generating system including the excitation system and control scheme has been modelled. Additionally a cascaded, doubly fed induction generator for wind generator applications has also been modelled. These different applications for the dynamic reluctance mesh method have proved that this approach yields an excellent machine and machine-system evaluation and design tool