Lennart Söder

Distributed generation : a definition

Abstract Distributed generation (DG) is expected to become more important in the future generation system. The current literature, however, does not use a consistent definition of DG. This paper discusses the relevant issues and aims at providing a general definition for distributed power generation in competitive electricity markets. In general, DG can be defined as electric power generation within distribution networks or on the customer side of the network. In addition, the terms distributed resources, distributed capacity and distributed utility are discussed. Network and connection issues of distributed generation are presented, too.

Protection of Low-Voltage DC Microgrids

In this paper, a low-voltage (LV) DC microgrid protection system design is proposed. The LV DC microgrid is used to interconnect distributed resources and sensitive electronic loads. When designing an LV DC microgrid protection system, knowledge from existing DC power systems can be used. However, in most cases, these systems use grid-connected rectifiers with current-limiting capability during DC faults. In contrast, an LV DC microgrid must be connected to an AC grid through converters with bidirectional power flow and, therefore, a different protection-system design is needed. In this paper, the operating principles and technical data of LV DC protection devices, both available and in the research stage, are presented. Furthermore, different fault-detection and grounding methods are discussed. The influence of the selected protection devices and grounding method on an LV DC microgrid is studied through simulations. The results show that it is possible to use available devices to protect such a system. Problems may arise with high-impedance ground faults which can be difficult to detect.

An Adaptive Control System for a Dc Microgrid for Data Centers

In this paper, an adaptive control system for a dc microgrid for data centers is proposed. Data centers call for electric power with high availability, and a possibility to reduce the electric losses and, consequently, the need for cooling. High reliability can be achieved by using local energy sources, and by using a dc power system, the number of conversion steps, and therefore also the losses, can be reduced. The dc microgrid can also supply closely located sensitive ac loads during outages in the ac grid. The proposed dc microgrid can be operated in eight different operation modes described here, resulting in 23 transitions. The control system coordinates the operation of converters, sources, and switches used in the dc microgrid. The control system is tested in the simulation software package PSCAD/EMTDC, and the results of the most interesting transitions are presented. The results show that it is possible to use the proposed dc microgrid to supply sensitive electronic loads and also, during ac-grid outages, supply closely located sensitive ac loads. To reduce the current transients experienced by grid-connected ac/dc converters, fast grid-outage detection and fast switches are required.

Wind energy technology and current status : a review

The paper provides an overview of the historical development of wind energy technology and discusses the current status of grid-connected as well as stand-alone wind power generation worldwide. During the last decade of the 20th century, grid-connected wind capacity worldwide has doubled approximately every three years. Due to the fast market development, wind turbine technology has experienced an important evolution over time. An overview of the different design approaches is given and issues like power grid integration, economics, environmental impact and special system applications, such as offshore wind energy, are discussed. Due to the complexity of the wind energy technology, however, this paper mainly aims at presenting a brief overview of the relevant wind turbine and wind project issues. Therefore, detailed information on further readings and related organisations is included.

Capacity Value of Wind Power

Power systems are planned such that they have adequate generation capacity to meet the load, according to a defined reliability target. The increase in the penetration of wind generation in recent years has led to a number of challenges for the planning and operation of power systems. A key metric for generation system adequacy is the capacity value of generation. The capacity value of a generator is the contribution that a given generator makes to generation system adequacy. The variable and stochastic nature of wind sets it apart from conventional energy sources. As a result, the modeling of wind generation in the same manner as conventional generation for capacity value calculations is inappropriate. In this paper a preferred method for calculation of the capacity value of wind is described and a discussion of the pertinent issues surrounding it is given. Approximate methods for the calculation are also described with their limitations highlighted. The outcome of recent wind capacity value analyses in Europe and North America, along with some new analysis, are highlighted with a discussion of relevant issues also given.

Reserve margin planning in a wind-hydro-thermal power system

A method for studying the effect of wind power on power system reserve margins, need of extra resources, etc. is presented. A conventional model for short-term operation planning for a hydrothermal power system is supplemented with a wind power model. The wind power model includes the forecast of total wind power generation and the uncertainty of the forecast. The conventional hydro-thermal model is extended to take into account load forecast uncertainty and reserve margins of the generation units. The requirements of instantaneous, fast, and slow reserves, depending on possible forced outages of thermal units and uncertain load and wind speed forecasts etc., are calculated together with the available capacities of the corresponding reserve type. The results include an estimation of whether there is a deficit or excess of instantaneous, fast, or slow reserves during each hour of the planning period. A numerical example shows an application of the method to the Swedish power system. >

Experience From Wind Integration in Some High Penetration Areas

The amount of wind power in the world is increasing quickly. The background for this development is improved technology, decreased costs for the units, and increased concern regarding environmental problems of competing technologies such as fossil fuels. The amount of wind power is not spread equally over the world, so in some areas, there is comparatively a high concentration. The aims of this paper are to overview some of these areas, and briefly describe consequences of the increase in wind power. The aim is also to try to draw some generic conclusions, in order to get some estimation about what will happen when the amount of wind power increases for other regions where wind power penetration is expected to reach high values in future

On the Parameter Extraction of a Five-Parameter Double-Diode Model of Photovoltaic Cells and Modules

The main contribution of this paper is to present a new set of approximate analytical solutions for the parameters of a photovoltaic (PV) five-parameter double-diode model that can be used as initial values for the numerical solutions based on the Newton-Raphson method. The proposed formulations are developed based on only the limited information given by the PV manufacturers, i.e., the open-circuit voltage ( Voc), the short circuit current ( Isc), and the current and voltage at the maximum power point (Im and Vm). Compared with the existing techniques that require the entire experimental I-V curve or additional information such as the slope of the I-V curves of the open circuit and the short circuit points, the proposed technique is quite independent of these additional data, and, it is therefore, a low cost and fast parameter extraction method. The accuracy of the theoretical I-V curves is evaluated through the comparison of the simulation results and experimental data. The results of the application of the proposed technique to different PV modules show the accuracy and validity of the proposed analytical-numerical method.

Electricity market regulations and their impact on distributed generation

Distributed generation (DG) has attracted a lot of attention recently and might become more important in future power generation systems. As different definitions are used worldwide, the paper briefly discusses the definition of DG. The future development of DG, however, will, to a not insignificant part, depend on the legal framework. As the legal framework can vary significantly for different competitive electricity markets, this paper briefly identifies and analyses some variations in the regulatory approaches, e.g. for power exchanges, balance services and ancillary services, in different countries. It also illustrates the influence of market regulations on the development of distributed power generation. Based on this analysis, it can be concluded that regulatory aspects might decisively influence the development of distributed power generation.

Coordinated Active Power-Dependent Voltage Regulation in Distribution Grids With PV Systems

High penetrations of photovoltaic (PV) systems in distribution grids have brought about new challenges such as reverse power flow and voltage rise. One of the proposed remedies for voltage rise is reactive power contribution by PV systems. Recent German Grid Codes (GGC) introduce an active power dependent (APD) standard characteristic curve, Q(P), for inverter-coupled distributed generators. This study utilizes the voltage sensitivity matrix and quasi-static analysis in order to locally and systematically develop a coordinated Q(P) characteristic for each PV system along a feeder. The main aim of this paper is to evaluate the technical performance of different aspects of proposed Q(P) characteristics. In fact, the proposed method is a systematic approach to set parameters in the GGC Q(P) characteristic. In the proposed APD method the reactive power is determined based on the local feed-in active power of each PV system. However, the local voltage is also indirectly taken into account. Therefore, this method regulates the voltage in order to keep it under the upper steady-state voltage limit. Moreover, several variants of the proposed method are considered and implemented in a simple grid and a complex utility grid. The results demonstrate the voltage-regulation advantages of the proposed method in contrast to the GGC standard characteristic.