Investigations into the transformer inrush current problem

A transformer being energised may draw a large transient current from the grid supply, resulting in a temporary voltage dip at the point of connection (POC) where customers are connected. The voltage dip is dependent upon the magnitude of the transformer inrush current. The peak current of the first cycle, under worst conditions, is considered important. This paper presents the results achieved following the energisation of a 10MVA 132/11kV transformer as well as the practical mitigation measures to minimise the impact of the transformer energisation.Keywords: transformer saturation; transformer inrush current modelling; voltage drop; PSCAD softwar

Voltage stability analysis of the Nigerian Power System using annealing optimization technique

The paper addresses the means of overcoming the challenge posed by voltage collapse to the stability of the Nigerian electric power system. The technique applied is based on time identification algorithm elaborating, at a given grid bus, the local phasor measurements at fast sampling rate. Elements such as adjustable shunt compensation devices, generator reactive generation, transformer tap settings are optimally adjusted at each operating point to reach the objective of minimizing the voltage stability index at each individual bus as well as minimizing the global voltage stability indicator. The control elements setting were optimized and the maximum possible MVA voltage stable loading has been achieved and a best voltage profile was obtained. Results of tests conducted on a 6-bus IEEE system and a typical 28-bus Nigerian power distribution network are presented and discussed. Keywords: Special protection systems, voltage stability analysis, voltage stability limit, voltage collapse mechanism, system securit

Improvement of bus voltage profiles of Nigerian power network in the presence of Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) and Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG)

Frequent blackouts and unstable supply of electricity show that the  voltage instability problem has been one of the major challenges facing the power system network in Nigeria. This study investigates the voltage stability analysis of the Nigerian power network in the presence of renewable energy sources; FACTS device is used as a voltage controller. A 330kV, 28-bus power system network was studied using the PSS/E software-based Newton-Raphson load-flow technique. The results show that 10 out of the 28 buses had voltages lying below the statutory limit of 0.95 ≤ 1.05 p.u. The application of STATCOM and DFIG devices on two of the weakest buses restored the voltages to acceptable statutory limits. The total active and reactive power losses were reduced to 18.76% and 18.82% respectively. Keywords: Voltage stability analysis; Integration of renewable energy sources; FACTS controllers, Reactive Power, Power Flow

Voltage Stability Analysis of Nigerian 330kV Power Grid using Static P-V Plots

Nigeria power system has been experiencing total or partial system failures in recent times and voltage instability is a strong factor. The paper seeks to perform the voltage stability analysis, based on static P-V plots, on buses located around and within the South East zone of Nigeria. An injection group containing generators to serve as the source and a sink group as loads to be monitored are created. The generators are assumed to be within their min/max MW limits. The load is increased in the sink group as well as in the source group to maintain the same generation/load balance. Load power and bus voltages (P-V) curves are plotted on the load busbars and the first busbar to reach the voltage collapse and MW transfer limit are determined. From the results obtained, at a load of 100 MW, Makurdi bus recorded a voltage of 0.9301 pu which is already below the regulatory standards of ±5% of the nominal line voltage. It entered the region of instability at a load of 245 MW. This created a situation of system instability and a possible partial system collapse. Subsequently, at a load of 260 MW, the system clearly entered unstable region giving rise to partial system collapse of the network