Wayne H. Litzenberger

STATCOM Impact Study on the Integration of a Large Wind Farm into a Weak Loop Power System

Recently, renewable wind energy is enjoying a rapid growth globally to become an important green electricity source to replace polluting and exhausting fossil fuel. However, with wind being an uncontrollable resource and the nature of distributed wind induction generators, integrating a large-scale wind-farm into a power system poses challenges, particularly in a weak power system. In the paper, the impact of STATCOM to facilitate the integration of a large wind farm into a weak power system is studied. First, an actual weak power system with two nearby large wind farms is introduced. Based on the field SCADA data analysis, the power quality issues are highlighted and a centralized STATCOM is proposed to solve them, particularly the short-term (seconds to minutes) voltage fluctuations. Second, a model of the system, wind farm and STATCOM for steady-state and dynamic impact study is presented, and the model is validated by comparing with the actual field data. Using simulated PV and QV curves, voltage control and stability issues are analyzed, and the size and location of STATCOM are assessed. Finally, a STATCOM control strategy for voltage fluctuation suppression is presented and dynamic simulations verify the performance of proposed STATCOM and its control strategy

Controller hardware-in-the-loop validation for a 10 MVA ETO-based STATCOM for wind farm application

This paper reports experimental validation of a Static Synchronous Compensation (STATCOM) by controller hardware-in-the-loop (CHIL) testing with a real-time digital simulator (RTDS). The controller is designed and developed for a 10 MVA STATCOM for voltage regulation at the PCC of a 50 MW wind farm connected to a 69kV utility grid. Emitter Turn-off (ETO) thyristors are switching devices in the multilevel inverter. The STATCOM controller was developed for a cascade multilevel inverter and has been validated on a laboratory test-bench. The CHIL testing of the controller is done with detailed scaled model of the 50 MW wind farm and 69kV utility system. The experimental results from the RTDS for both steady state and dynamic changes in the STATCOM output validate the STATCOM controller design and performance.

Bibliography of FACTS applications for grid integration of wind and PV solar power systems: 1995–2010 IEEE working group report

This paper presents the Bibliography of Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) applications for grid integration of wind power systems and PV solar power systems during the period 1995 to 2010. It provides a listing of various journal and conference papers in this area.

Upgrading AC transmission to DC for maximum power transfer capacity

The paper describes current developments for upgrading of existing AC transmission lines for substantial increase in power transfer capacity by a new concept of conversion to HVDC transmission. Traditionally, such a conversion has been contemplated as being three phase AC to bipolar DC. Recent patents by one of the authors have introduced the tripolar DC transmission concept, which maximizes the utilization of all three phase conductors and improves N-l operational constraints. Conversion consideration issues, e.g. selection of DC voltage rating, the need for re-insulation, etc. are investigated. The paper provides an overview of an Application Guide that is being prepared by EPRI for transmission engineers and planners contemplating upgrading AC transmission lines to HVDC transmission

Bibliography of HVDC Transmission: 2005-2006 IEEE Working Group Report

This paper presents a Bibliography of HVDC transmission technology from August, 2005 to present. It provides a listing of various journal and conference papers in this area.

Testing of a controller for an ETO-based STATCOM through controller hardware-in-the-loop simulation

The testing of a controller for a proposed 10 MVA STATCOM through hardware-in-the-loop experimentation is described in this paper. The electrical environment into which the STATCOM is to be inserted, including a significant portion of the utility network and a nearby wind farm are simulated using a large-scale digital real time electromagnetic transients simulator. The STATCOM controller is interfaced to the simulation, providing firing pulses to the simulated STATCOM and receiving feedback of system voltages and currents. Notional wind speed data is used to simulate realistic behavior of the wind farm. This paper presents preliminary results of the ongoing testing of the controller under the most realistic system conditions.

Pacific HVDC intertie

Although not the first HVDC transmission scheme, the Pacific HVDC Intertie (PDCI) has been the subject of keen interest from the HVDC community from its earliest days. The initial configuration has been repeatedly altered over a period of more than 30 years as a result of various upgrades and in response to two major earthquakes, a fire, and environmental concerns. Once a museum of HVDC technology development, the PDCI now contains the most modern equipment available. The owners of the southern converter station at Sylmar, California, have completely rebuilt the station, replacing nearly all of the converter equipment with modern high-power converters. At the northern end of the Intertie, at the Celilo converter station in The Dalles, Oregon, the changes have been more modest. This article traces the story of the creation of the PDCI and the subsequent changes that have taken the capacity from 1,440 MW in 1970 to 3,100 MW today

Bibliography of HVDC Transmission 2001-2003 Part: II IEEE Working Group Report

This paper presents a continuation of the Bibliography of HVDC transmission technology for the year 2001-2003.

When It's Time to Upgrade: HVdc and FACTS Renovation in the Western Power System

The western United States and Canada, bounded roughly by the Continental Divide and the Pacific Ocean and Mexico, form a large interconnected power system overseen by the Western Electric Coordinating Council (WECC). This interconnected system of approximately 210,000 MW has five high-voltage dc (HVdc) transmission systems dating from 1970 to 2014. Two new HVdc transmission schemes have been completed recently in Alberta, and several HVdc lines are being planned for the southwest to move power to southern California. There are also eight back-to-back converters that tie the western system to the eastern interconnection and to Texas. Other power electronic installations include a number of large transmission scale static var converters (SVCs) and two thyristor controlled series capacitors (TCSCs). These installations date from 1970, when the Vancouver Island HVdc transmission was installed.

A Short History of the Pacific HVDC Intertie

The development of the Pacific HVDC Intertie (PDCI) is traced from inception in the 1960s to present day. The PDCI has undergone a number of changes and upgrades over the 36 years since its construction. The changes in the PDCI mirror the advances in HVDC technology and renovated the southern converter station at Sylmar completely replacing nearly all of the converter equipment with modern high power converters over that period