Increasing Distributed Generation Penetration using Soft Normally-Open Points

This paper considers the effects of various voltage control solutions on facilitating an increase in allowable levels of distributed generation installation before voltage violations occur. In particular, the voltage control solution that is focused on is the implementation of `soft' normally-open points (SNOPs), a term which refers to power electronic devices installed in place of a normally-open point in a medium-voltage distribution network which allows for control of real and reactive power flows between each end point of its installation sites. While other benefits of SNOP installation are discussed, the intent of this paper is to determine whether SNOPs are a viable alternative to other voltage control strategies for this particular application. As such, the SNOPs ability to affect the voltage profile along feeders within a distribution system is focused on with other voltage control options used for comparative purposes. Results from studies on multiple network models with varying topologies are presented and a case study which considers economic benefits of increasing feasible DG penetration is also given

Maximum Effectiveness of Electrostatic Energy Harvesters When Coupled to Interface Circuits

Accepted versio

Multi-Agent System Control and Coordination of an Electrical Network

Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) have the potential to solve Active Network Management (ANM) problems arising from an increase in Distributed Energy Resources (DER). The aim of this research is to integrate a MAS into an electrical network emulation for the purpose of implementing ANM. Initially an overview of agents and MAS and how their characteristics can be used to control and coordinate an electrical network is presented. An electrical network comprising a real-time emulated transmission network connected to a live DER network controlled and coordinated by a MAS is then constructed. The MAS is then used to solve a simple ANM problem: the control and coordination of an electrical network in order to maintain frequency within operational limits. The research concludes that a MAS is successful in solving this ANM problem and also that in the future the developed MAS can be applied to other ANM problems. © 2012 IEEE

Impacts of plug-in hybrid vehicles and combined heat and power technologies on electric and gas distribution network losses

Distribution network operators (DNOs) require strategies that can offset the tradeoffs new embedded technologies have on their assets. This paper employs modelling to show that through control device manipulation, gas and electric (G&E) network operators can influence savings in energy losses under the presence of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and combined heat and power technologies (CHPs). An integrated gas and electric optimal power flow (OPF) tool is introduced to undertake various case studies. The OPF tool evaluates the technical impacts experienced in the networks when DNOs apply a "plug and forget" operation strategy and then compares the results against a "loss minimisation" strategy. Results show the benefits in applying different strategies are more considerable in electric networks than in gas networks. The study corroborates that an integrated G&E analysis offers a fresh perspective for stakeholders in evaluating energy service networks performance under different operation strategies

Reduced DC circuit breaker requirement on mixed converter HVDC networks

© 2015 IEEE.Recently proposed meshed HVDC networks include both converters and DC circuit breakers, and the fault currents experienced and therefore the capacity requirement of circuit breakers are dependent on the topology of converters used on the network. This paper analyses the difference in fault currents seen in various network configurations utilising fault-feeding and fault-blocking converters. Results are presented showing the reduced fault currents seen in the regions of the DC network where fault current limiting converters have been implemented, which could have an impact on the topology, current rating and therefore size and cost of the circuit breaker

Control and filter design of three-phase inverters for high power quality grid connection

Published versio

Predictive transient-following control of shunt and series active power filters

Published versio

Comparison of current-limiting strategies during fault ride-through of inverters to prevent latch-up and wind-up

Transient stability of a power network requires that generators remain synchronized and return to normal power export once a fault is cleared. For inverter-interfaced generators, one must ensure that current and voltage limiters do not latch-up and that controller integrators do not wind-up. A comparison of current-limiting strategies during fault ride-through of inverters to prevent latch-up and wind-up is presented. A voltage-controlled inverter with an inner current controller is used in this paper. Instantaneous limiting (saturation) and latched limiting with a variety of reset strategies are tested to check for correct operation when a fault is applied and cleared. All the cases were tested on an experimental system using 10-kVA inverters and low-impedance three-phase faults. The experimental results showing the current and voltage waveforms of the inverter are presented to test whether each strategy correctly transitioned from current limiting to normal operation once the fault was cleared and to examine the extent to which controller wind-up was a problem. Conclusions are drawn as to which current-limiting strategies provide good performance in ride-through and recovery from faults