E. Randolph Collins

An investigation of the response of incandescent lamps and compact fluorescent lamps to voltage fluctuations

This paper describes a laboratory-based investigation to compare the effects of voltage fluctuations on incandescent lighting and several common, commercially-available compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). The lamps that were tested were 60W incandescent and 60W equivalent CFLs, which were designed for a 120V, 60Hz system. In this test, two incandescent and three compact fluorescent lamps were put through identical tests in order to determine their steady state response to long voltage fluctuations as well as their response to short duration voltage fluctuations. In every situation tested, the visible performance of the CFLs was superior to that of the incandescent lamps. The detailed results of these tests, comparisons, and conclusions are presented.

A survey on global PV interconnection standards

Photovoltaic energy (PV) is one of the cleanest forms of renewable energy. The popularity of this technology has been widely recognized with the incentives provided by the governments of various countries across the globe. Day by day, the growth rate of PV is steadily increasing. Renewable energy resources like PV are interfaced with power electronic inverters to enable its interconnection to the power system network. The conventional power system becomes more complex with increasing renewable energy interconnections to constitute a smarter grid. As the decentralized generation achieved by PV solar plants becomes more prevalent, the grid reliability becomes an important facet. The ramifications associated with the PV interconnection needs an adherence to reliable operation of the grid without any violations. Interconnection standards are clearly critical. Several organizations and technical committees are constantly involved in research to update and revise such standards on a frequent basis throughout the world. The focus of this paper is to present a consolidated compilation of PV interconnection standards across the globe.

Design, Development, and Commissioning of a Multimegawatt Test Facility for Renewable Energy Research

This paper documents the design, development, and commissioning effort for a multimegawatt mechanical and electrical test facility for renewable energy research. The mechanical test platforms are specifically designed to explore the machine dynamics of wind turbine nacelles. The electrical test areas can be interconnected with the mechanical platforms to facilitate complete mechanical and electrical evaluation of wind turbine performance related to grid code requirements or can be operated independently as multimegawatt test bays for testing and model verification of other devices.

Harmonic resonance repercussions of PV and associated distributed generators on distribution systems

The problems associated with the harmonics needs more attention as more number of distributed generators like PV and wind are integrated into a distribution system. Although the integration presents a lot of benefits, satisfying the needs of local load requirements by reducing the line losses and facilitating congestion management, the problems of power quality that impact the distribution system become a priority. IEEE 519 describes network resonance as a major contributor impacting harmonic levels. LC and LCL filters on the AC side of PV Solar (PV) inverters that are designed to mitigate higher order harmonics tend to interact with the impedance of the entire network by exciting the harmonic resonance modes. Apart from that, wind based induction generators and induction motors are associated with terminal capacitors for voltage support. The interaction of such capacitive elements of distributed generators with the entire system impedance also impact resonance modes. To witness the impact of DGs, a control scheme for a 1.25 MW PV inverter based on hysteresis control with a simple LC filter is designed. This paper will serve as a reference for planning engineers and researchers working towards power quality by addressing the impacts of PV with distribution systems.

A multi-megawatt test facility for renewable energy research

This paper documents the design and development effort for constructing a multi-megawatt mechanical and electrical test facility for renewable energy research. The mechanical test platforms are specifically designed to explore the machine dynamics of wind turbine nacelles. The electrical test areas can be interconnected with the mechanical platforms to facilitate complete mechanical and electrical evaluation of wind turbine performance related to grid code requirements, or can be operated independently as multi-megawatt test bays for testing and model verification of other devices.