Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “buses”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 163 records · Page 9

Distributed Coordination of Networked Microgrids for Voltage Support in Bulk Power Grids

The increasing deployment of distributed energy resources (DERs) and microgrids (MGs) in power distribution systems has enabled the adjustment of reactive power consumption as seen at the substation, which can be used to provide voltage support for the bulk power system (BPS). Leveraging this new capability will provide greater resiliency to the power system as a whole. Here, the goal of this paper is to develop and compare three different algorithms, namely distributed optimal power flow, distributed consensus algorithm, and fully decentralized collaborative autonomy for unbalanced distribution systems for microgrid coordination. These algorithms use networked MGs to support the BPS voltage when a contingency at the bulk grid results in abnormally low voltages, which may be a precursor to voltage collapse. Our comparative analysis includes both qualitative and quantitative assessments of the three algorithms and a discussion of the trade-offs between the decentralized and distributed methods in normal and disrupted conditions. Each algorithm was evaluated on the modified IEEE 13-bus system and a real power distribution system at Chattanooga, Tennessee, that encompasses more than 4500 buses. Each algorithms excels differently and may be suited for different scenarios depending on the condition, operations, and priorities of the power and communication systems.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Holistic Small-Signal Stability Analysis for Large-Scale Inverter-Intensive Power Systems with Coupled and Full-Order Dynamics from Control Systems and Power Networks

The increasing penetration of inverter-based resources (IBRs) into the existing power systems introduces tremendous benefits for enhanced sustainability but also poses inevitable challenges in terms of insufficient inertia, potential instability, and complex network dynamics, among others. However, the additional coupling introduced by the interactions among gridfollowing (GFL) and grid-forming (GFM) IBRs and the other components (i.e., synchronous generators [SGs], loads, and network, etc.) has not been clearly explored. A holistic, scalable, and quantitative stability analysis framework with the control systems and power networks is still missing. Here, in this paper, to fill in the technical gaps, a holistic small-signal model of the entire system with both rotating generation units and IBRs is established. An extended power flow model with operation dynamics from both generator control schemes and power networks is proposed to provide the varying steady-state operating points for small-signal modeling. The proposed method is compared with MATLAB solvers, and the results show that the proposed approach has a minimum calculation time, which can be less than 12 seconds for a large-scale power system with up to 2,000 buses. Furthermore, a quantitative method is developed to identify the impacts of IBRs on system performance with emphases on the potential stability issues with GFL IBRs, additional benefits of employing GFM IBRs, the feasibility of replacing SGs with GFM IBRs, and the impact of penetration level of different kinds of generation units. Finally, a field island power system is used to verify the proposed approach, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) tests are provided to further demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed analysis.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

A Two-Stage Decomposition Approach for AC Optimal Power Flow

The alternating current optimal power flow (AC-OPF) problem is critical to power system operations and planning, but it is generally hard to solve due to its nonconvex and large-scale nature. Furthermore, this paper proposes a scalable decomposition approach in which the power network is decomposed into a master network and a number of subnetworks, where each network has its own AC-OPF subproblem. This formulates a two-stage optimization problem and requires only a small amount of communication between the master and subnetworks. The key contribution is a smoothing technique that renders the response of a subnetwork differentiable with respect to the input from the master problem, utilizing properties of the barrier problem formulation that naturally arises when subproblems are solved by a primal-dual interior-point algorithm. Consequently, existing efficient nonlinear programming solvers can be used for both the master problem and the subproblems. The advantage of this framework is that speedup can be obtained by processing the subnetworks in parallel, and it has convergence guarantees under reasonable assumptions. The formulation is readily extended to instances with stochastic subnetwork loads. Numerical results show favorable performance and illustrate the scalability of the algorithm which is able to solve instances with more than 11 million buses.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Formulation of Three-Phase State Estimation Problem Using a Virtual Reference

State Estimation (SE) is the backbone of modern Energy Management System (EMS) due its capability of processing real time measurements and provide reliable information to system operators. Since its introduction to power systems in the 70’s, SE has been widely used in transmission networks. Distribution grids on the other hand lack sufficient number of real time measurements, and for that reason SE has not been widely implemented on these systems. The recent increase in the number of renewable energy sources connected to the grid at lower voltage levels, the advent of Distribution Automation (DA) and Smart Grids necessitate closer monitoring of distribution networks and thus forcing utilities to upgrade their operations and deploy Advanced Distribution Management Sytems (ADMS). Therefore, Distribution System State Estimation (DSE) is paramount to provide real time monitoring of active distribution grids. This papers investigates the formulation of the three-phase distribution state estimation where in the most general case, none of the system buses may have balanced three phase voltages. In such a case, the choice and definition of the slack bus need to be revisited. Most of the existing work arbitrarily assign the root bus of the distribution feeder as the balanced three-phase reference which may not be realistic for today’s active distribution systems. This paper addresses this shortcoming of the existing SE formulations by introducing a virtual reference bus. Here, the proposed approach is effectively validated by simulations carried out on distribution test systems.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

A Robust Parallel Distributed State Estimation for Large Scale Distribution Systems

The growing need and interest in real-time monitoring of large distribution networks motivated by the rapid population of renewable sources, EVs and etc. demand a computationally efficient state estimation framework. Furthermore, this paper presents an improved computational framework for implementing a robust state estimator using a multi-core processor. The main contribution of the paper is the proposed computational framework along with two partitioning strategies which enable fast and robust state estimation for large scale radial and/or meshed distribution systems. Formulation of the proposed method and its implementation are described in detail. Performance of the estimator is tested by simulations first using a small 84-bus radial distribution system. Then the method’s scalability is demonstrated by simulations on two very large scale distribution networks one configured radially and the other meshed each containing over 12,500 buses.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Multi-Stage Modeling With Recourse Decisions for Solving Stochastic Complementarity Problems With an Application in Energy

This paper presents a multi-stage model with recourse decisions for solving complementarity problems in a competitive electricity market under uncertainty, while also considering renewable energy technologies and battery storage utilization. The model is based on a Nash-Cournot formulation of imperfect competition among power producers. We analyze the value of variable renewable energy (VRE) and battery storage under different uncertainties, such as demand level and VRE availability. To illustrate the proposed model, we apply it to three- bus five-player model and analyze different cases varying costs, including a user-optimal perspective (with market power) and a system-optimal perspective (with central planning). We also consider the potential for congestion in the system by restricting the transmission capacity between a single interface that connects two buses. Our findings show that increasing the battery storage capacity results in a decrease in the need for perfect information about future uncertainties. Additionally, as the model allows for more uncertainty, it becomes more apparent that the stochastic mixed complementarity problem (MCP) has an advantage over a deterministic equivalent. We propose the use of the Value of the Stochastic Equilibrium Solution (VSES) as a quality metric to compare the stochastic MCP with its deterministic equivalent. Overall, expanding battery storage capacity can lower the maximum, mean, and variance values of delivered prices, but there are diminishing returns to this approach.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Large Scale Bilevel Optimization for N-K SCOPF Using Adversarial Robustness

Ensuring a secure dispatch against multiple simultaneous outages has long been desired to maintain grid security in the presence of severe events, such as extreme weather phenomena. Traditionally denoted as N-k security constrained optimal power flow (N-k SCOPF), this problem is intractable to solve due to its size being combinatorial in the number of simultaneous outages and due to the non-convex nature of the AC network constraints. This hinders the use of N-k SCOPF for operating realistic-scale systems. In this paper, we introduce a methodology to scalably solve an AC-feasible dispatch that improves security over k simultaneous outages. Our methodology poses N-k SCOPF as a bilevel optimization problem and solves it using an adversarial robustness approach. We develop new efficient methods to solve each level of the bilevel optimization by employing knowledge of the physics of the underlying system. This yields significant improvements in speed and convergence that enable us to address the N-k SCOPF problem at scale. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method by conducting a comprehensive analysis of an N-3 SCOPF for a 500-bus network. Furthermore, we emphasize the ability of our physics-driven techniques to handle larger systems by successfully scaling up to 12,000 buses.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Analytical Models of Frequency and Voltage in Large-Scale All-Inverter Power Systems

Low-order frequency response models for power systems have a decades-long history in optimization and control problems such as unit commitment, economic dispatch, and wide-area control. With a few exceptions, these models are built upon the Newtonian mechanics of synchronous generators, assuming that the frequency dynamics across a system are approximately homogeneous, and assume the dynamics of nodal voltages for most operating conditions are negligible, and thus are not directly computed at all buses. As a result, the use of system frequency models results in the systematic underestimation of frequency minimum nadir and maximum RoCoF, and provides no insight into the reactive power-voltage dynamics. This paper proposes a low-order model of both frequency and voltage response in grid-forming inverter-dominated power systems. The proposed model accounts for spatial-temporal variations in frequency and voltage behavior across a system and as a result, demonstrates the heterogeneity of frequency response in future renewable power systems. Electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulations are used to validate the utility, accuracy, and computational efficiency of these models, setting the basis for them to serve as fast, scalable alternatives to EMT simulation, especially when dealing with very large-scale systems, for both planning and operational studies.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Selecting Critical Scenarios of DER Adoption in Distribution Grids Using Bayesian Optimization

We develop a new methodology to select scenarios of DER adoption most critical for distribution grids. Anticipating risks of future voltage and line flow violations due to additional PV adopters is central for utility investment planning but continues to rely on deterministic or ad hoc scenario selection. We propose a highly efficient search framework based on multi-objective Bayesian Optimization. We treat underlying grid stress metrics as computationally expensive black-box functions, approximated via Gaussian Process surrogates and design an acquisition function based on probability of scenarios being Pareto-critical across a collection of line- and bus-based violation objectives. Our approach provides a statistical guarantee and offers an order of magnitude speed-up relative to a conservative exhaustive search. Case studies on realistic feeders with 200-400 buses demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of our approach.

Mulkin, Olivier↗

Data-Driven Event Detection of Power Systems Based on Unequal-Interval Reduction of PMU Data and Local Outlier Factor

With the deployment of phasor measurement units (PMU) and wide area measurement system (WAMS), it is feasible to have an insight into the events occurred in power systems based on measured data. Thus, a novel data-driven algorithm based on local outlier factor (LOF) is proposed in this work to detect and locate events in power systems using reduced PMU data. First, the unequal-interval reduction method is presented to reduce the scale of PMU data in sub-stations and reconstruct it in master station of WAMS, which can relieve the burden of communication systems. Then, principle component analysis (PCA)-based similarity search method is proposed to measure the differences of operation state between any two buses. Next, LOF is presented to detect the abnormal events in power systems, and employed to determine the region of the event source. Finally, six cases from the Western electricity coordinating council (WECC) 179-bus power system, a case from the South China power system (SCPS), and a case from the Guangdong power system (GDPS) are utilized to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Overall, the results show that proposed algorithm is effective and can be applied to event detection, event location, and online monitoring, which can enhance the situation awareness ability of power system operators.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

A Model-Free Voltage Control Approach to Mitigate Motor Stalling and FIDVR for Smart Grids

Electric power networks are large and highly nonlinear dynamical systems that present unique challenges to control design. Though there is a large number of dynamic models for power system stability and control, many models are only useful with right assumptions and wrong for other tasks. Moreover, the dynamic behavior of the grid is increasingly complex under the banner of smart grids. These lead to the difficulty of developing appropriate dynamic modeling, and thus an efficient control strategy. To avoid such modeling challenges, here we present a novel dynamic voltage control strategy based on a model-free control (MFC) approach, requiring no modeling procedure. In particular, it focuses on fault-induced delayed voltage recovery (FIDVR) events, which require complex and accurate dynamic load models to replicate such events. This work utilizes MFC as an online controller to achieve the desired voltage stability under the FIDVR event. The proposed MFC strategy allows simple implementation and low computational cost for efficient mitigation of FIDVR. For benchmarking, a reasonably accurate dynamic performance model is explored. Simulation results with the IEEE 57 bus test network demonstrate the enhanced dynamic voltage profile for load buses having induction motors with the support of reactive power resources.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Optimal PMU Restoration for Power System Observability Recovery After Massive Attacks

Cyber-physically resilient power system operation requires rapid recovery of situational awareness after disastrous scenarios such as massive cyber attacks. In this article, the concept of optimal sequential restoration of Phasor Measurement Units is introduced, aiming at rapid recovery of power system observability in post-attack scenarios. Additionally, the observability recovery problem is formulated as a Mixed Integer Linear Programming problem to maximize the cumulative observability level gained over time during the restoration process. Three alternative objective functions-maximizing the number of observable buses, the number of observable branches, and the total amount of observable power flow-are considered. The effectiveness of the proposed optimal strategy is verified by comparing it with heuristic approaches on the IEEE 57-bus system.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Guaranteed Phase & Topology Identification in Three Phase Distribution Grids

We present a method for joint phase identification and topology recovery in unbalanced three phase radial networks using only voltage measurements. By recovering phases and topology jointly, we utilize all three phase voltage measurements and can handle networks where some buses have a subset of three phases. Our method is theoretically justified by a novel linearized formulation of unbalanced three phase power flow and makes precisely defined and reasonable assumptions on line impedances and load statistics. We validate our method on three IEEE test networks simulated under realistic conditions in OpenDSS, comparing our performance to the state of the art. In addition to providing a new method for phase and topology recovery, our intuitively structured linearized model will provide a foundation for future work in this and other applications.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Multiarea Distribution System State Estimation via Distributed Tensor Completion

Here, this paper proposes a model-free distribution system state estimation method based on tensor completion using canonical polyadic decomposition. In particular, we consider a setting where the network is divided into multiple areas. The measured physical quantities at buses located in the same area are processed by an area controller. A three-way tensor is constructed to collect these measured quantities. The measurements are analyzed locally to recover the full state information of the network. A distributed closed-form iterative algorithm based on the alternating direction method of multipliers is developed to obtain the low-rank factors of the whole network state tensor where information exchange happens only between neighboring areas. The convergence properties of the distributed algorithm and the sufficient conditions on the number of samples for each smaller network that guarantee the identifiability of the factors of the state tensor are presented. To demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed algorithm and to check the identifiability conditions, numerical simulations are carried out using the IEEE 123-bus system and a large-scale real utility feeder.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Data-Driven Affinely Adjustable Robust Volt/VAr Control

Recent years have seen the increasing proliferation of distributed energy resources with intermittent power outputs, posing new challenges to the voltage management in distribution networks. To this end, this paper proposes a data-driven affinely adjustable robust Volt/VAr control (AARVVC) scheme, which modulates the smart inverter’s reactive power in an affine function of its active power, based on the voltage sensitivities with respect to real/reactive power injections. To achieve a fast and accurate estimation of voltage sensitivities, we propose a data-driven method based on deep neural network (DNN), together with a rule-based bus-selection process using the bidirectional search method. Our method only uses the operating statuses of selected buses as inputs to DNN, thus significantly improving the training efficiency and reducing information redundancy. Finally, a distributed consensus-based solution, based on the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM), for the AARVVC is applied to decide the inverter’s reactive power adjustment rule with respect to its active power. Only limited information exchange is required between each local agent and the central agent to obtain the slope of the reactive power adjustment rule, and there is no need for the central agent to solve any (sub)optimization problems. Finally, numerical results on the modified IEEE-123 bus system validate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed data-driven AARVVC method.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Voltage Estimation in Low-Voltage Distribution Grids with Distributed Energy Resources

Present distribution grids generally have limited sensing capabilities and are therefore characterized by low observability. Improved observability is a prerequisite for increasing the hosting capacity of distributed energy resources such as solar photovoltaics (PV) in distribution grids. In this context, this paper presents learning-aided low-voltage estimation using untapped but readily available and widely distributed sensors from cable television (CATV) networks. The cable broadband sensors offer timely local voltage magnitude sensing with 5-minute resolution and can provide an order of magnitude more data on the time-varying state of a secondary distribution system than currently deployed utility sensors. The proposed solution incorporates voltage readings from neighboring CATV sensors, taking into account spatio-temporal aspects of the observations, and estimates single-phase voltage magnitudes at all non-monitored low-voltage buses using random forests. The effectiveness of the proposed approach was demonstrated using a multi-phase 1572-bus feeder from the SMART-DS data set for two case studies passive distribution feeder (without PV) and active distribution feeder (with PV). The analysis was conducted on simulated data, and the results show voltage estimates with a high degree of accuracy, even at extremely low percentages of observable nodes.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Technical Impacts of Light-Duty and Heavy-Duty Transportation Electrification on a Coordinated Transmission and Distribution System

In this study, we propose a strategy to model the required spatiotemporal charging demand from light-duty (LD) and medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) electric vehicles (EVs) using actual transportation data by mapping the demand for the required EV charging to a realistic and coordinated distribution and transmission electric grid at the predicted times of the day to study their impact on the power system in a variety of load, weather, and EV penetration scenarios. This work is the first study that includes the actual weather data and transportation data with realistic and coordinated distribution and transmission grid data in a large industry-scale level study. The main goal of this study is to identify possible issues and required upgrades in the electric grid, caused by an increase in EV integration. The transmission case study is a large grid with 6717 buses over a Texas footprint, and the distribution grid is over Houston, a city in Texas, covering over three million customers. The resulting overloads and voltage violations experienced in the system are discussed, and required planning upgrades to avoid these issues are suggested.

AC optimal power flow (AC-OPF)↗