S.S. Venkata

An expert system operational aid for restoration and loss reduction of distribution systems

An application of expert system techniques to the restoration of distribution systems is reported. Primary feeders are typically radial in structure. To increase system reliability, neighboring feeders are connected through a normally open tie switch. When load zones on a feeder interrupted due to a fault, system operators need to identify neighboring feeders and try to restore customers through the tie switches. To restore the maximum number of zones, several steps are followed: group restoration, zone restoration and, if necessary, load transfer. Based on the methodology, an expert system is developed which can be utilized as an online aid to system operators in a distribution SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) environmental. The proposed expert system is implemented in Prolog. Knowledge representation, portability of the system, and computational efficiency are discussed. Several examples illustrate the capabilities of the system. >

Microgrid Protection Using Communication-Assisted Digital Relays

Microgrids have been proposed as a way of integrating large numbers of distributed renewable energy sources with distribution systems. One problem with microgrid implementation is designing a proper protection scheme. It has been shown that traditional protection schemes will not work successfully. In this paper a protection scheme using digital relays with a communication network is proposed for the protection of the microgrid system. The increased reliability of adding an additional line to form a loop structure is explored. Also a novel method for modeling high impedance faults is demonstrated to show how the protection scheme can protect against them. This protection scheme is simulated on a realistic distribution system containing a high penetration of inverter connected Distributed Generation (DG) sources operating as a microgrid. In all possible cases of operation the primary and secondary relays performed their intended functions including the detection of high impedance faults. This system is simulated using Matlab Simulinks SimPowerSystems toolbox to establish the claims made in this paper.

An adaptive approach to load shedding and spinning reserve control during underfrequency conditions

Emergency conditions arising due to generating power deficiency and the consequent drop in power system frequency can lead to system collapse and a large scale loss of load. Underfrequency load shedding (UFLS) is a globally accepted practice to handle this situation. Most UFLS schemes use pre-specified step sizes based upon frequency measurements. This paper presents an adaptive scheme which uses both frequency and rate-of-change of frequency measurements to dynamically set UFLS relays if more than one generation outage is experienced. It then proposes a technique for coordinating UFLS and the activation of spinning reserves through localized governor control. Recent developments in computer based frequency and rate-of-change of frequency relays makes this scheme both feasible and attractive.

Computer Aided Transmission Protection System Design Part I: Alcorithms

The role of a computer-aided-design tool in assisting protection engineers is defined. In the process, we identify three computational problems for which algorithms are not readily available: network analysis to find primary/backup relay pairs, setting directional overcurrent relays and setting distance relays. Suitable algorithms for each of these tasks are presented.

Distribution System Planning through a Quadratic Mixed Integer Programming Approach

This Paper presents a new approach for the optimal sizing and siting of substations and network routing problem. The solution approach proposed is a nolinear programming approach. The problem has been formulated as a Quadratic Mixed Integer programming (QMIP) problem in terms of the fixed costs of the substations and lines and the present worth of the energy loss costs of the line segments. The solution to this QMIP problem is obtained in two stages. In the first stage the quadratic programming problem is solved following the procedure developed by Wolfe using simplex method and treating all the variables as continuous variables. In the second stage, a procedure has been suggested to integerize the values of the integer variables. The proposed method is validated using a numerical example.

Distribution System Reliability Assessment Using Hierarchical Markov Modeling

Distribution system reliability assessment is concerned with power availability and power quality at each customers service entrance. This paper presents a new method, termed hierarchical Markov modeling (HMM), which can perform predictive distribution system reliability assessment. HMM is unique in that it decomposes the reliability model based on power system topology, integrated protection systems and individual protection devices. This structure, which easily accommodates the effects of backup protection, fault isolation and load restoration, is compared to simpler reliability models. HMM is then used to assess the reliability of an existing utility distribution system and to explore the reliability impact of several design improvement options.

ADSM-an automated distribution system modeling tool for engineering analyses

Designing and operating the distribution system efficiently and economically requires distribution engineers to perform various analytical studies frequently. The system models for these analyses are derived from the information residing in diverse utility databases. One major problem in utilizing these databases is the data mismatch due to different software specifications and hardware platforms. This means additional effort is required to transform data among these systems before engineers can perform any distribution system analyses. The Automated Distribution System Modeler (ADSM) developed jointly at the University of Washington (UW) and Puget Sound Power and Light Co. (PSPL) provides an automated approach for the distribution system modeling. This software tool builds a unified distribution system model automatically from the utility databases and provides a generic interface to various engineering analysis tools. This paper describes the object-oriented design concept of such a tool and discusses the merits of the geographic information system (GIS) environment used as a platform for ADSM. >

A three-phase three-winding core-type transformer model for low-frequency transient studies

A topology-based and duality-derived three-phase, three-winding, core-type transformer model is presented. The model treats the leakage inductances and the coupling effects of the core in a straightforward and integrated way. The long-established positive- and zero-sequence star equivalent circuits of a three-phase three-winding transformer are derived from the original equivalent magnetic circuit of the transformer by applying duality. Formulations for determining the values of the leakage inductances and the core loss resistances from transformer open- and short-circuit test data are presented. A supporting routine is written to generate the /spl lambda/-i curves for each segment of the core and the other input data for EMTP. Since the duality-derived model consists of only RLC elements, no device-specific code to EMTP time-step code is needed. Winding capacitances are lumped to the terminals. The model is suitable for simulation of power system low-frequency transients such as inrush currents and ferroresonance, short circuits, and abnormalities including transformer winding faults.

Improved distribution system planning using computational evolution

This paper presents a new problem solving environment that can utilize different forms of resources to approach better solutions in the distribution network planning domain. To implement this concept, a design optimization framework, named design by expectation (DBE), is developed. DBE exploits the adaptation of genetic algorithms in searching the optimal solution, and releases the strict requirements for objective functions and constraints in conventional optimization techniques. One example, street lighting design, is used to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach.

An Adaptive Power Factor Controller for Three-Phase Induction Generators

An adaptive power factor controllerfor three-phase inducti on generators (and also for motors) is proposed in this paper. The controller senses the reactive current drawn by the machine and accordingly provides the needed reactive power to improve the power factor to as close to unity as possible. The controller is a modular, low-cost, harmonic free device. It does not create any transients in line current. It is designed to eliminate the self-excitation problems associated with induction generators. The controller is tested on an induction generator, which is being used in wind energy and similar applications.