scholarly journals Experimental Validation and Deployment of Observability Applications for Monitoring of Low-Voltage Distribution Grids

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (17) ◽  
pp. 5770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karthikeyan Nainar ◽  
Catalin Iosif Ciontea ◽  
Kamal Shahid ◽  
Florin Iov ◽  
Rasmus Løvenstein Olsen ◽  
...  

Future distribution grids will be subjected to fluctuations in voltages and power flows due to the presence of renewable sources with intermittent power generation. The advanced smart metering infrastructure (AMI) enables the distribution system operators (DSOs) to measure and analyze electrical quantities such as voltages, currents and power at each customer connection point. Various smart grid applications can make use of the AMI data either in offline or close to real-time mode to assess the grid voltage conditions and estimate losses in the lines/cables. The outputs of these applications can enable DSOs to take corrective action and make a proper plan for grid upgrades. In this paper, the process of development and deployment of applications for improving the observability of distributions grids is described, which consists of the novel deployment framework that encompasses the proposition of data collection, communication to the servers, data storage, and data visualization. This paper discussed the development of two observability applications for grid monitoring and loss calculation, their validation in a laboratory setup, and their field deployment. A representative distribution grid in Denmark is chosen for the study using an OPAL-RT real-time simulator. The results of the experimental studies show that the proposed applications have high accuracy in estimating grid voltage magnitudes and active energy losses. Further, the field deployment of the applications prove that DSOs can gain insightful information about their grids and use them for planning purposes.

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 1967
Author(s):  
Gaurav Kumar Roy ◽  
Marco Pau ◽  
Ferdinanda Ponci ◽  
Antonello Monti

Direct Current (DC) grids are considered an attractive option for integrating high shares of renewable energy sources in the electrical distribution grid. Hence, in the future, Alternating Current (AC) and DC systems could be interconnected to form hybrid AC-DC distribution grids. This paper presents a two-step state estimation formulation for the monitoring of hybrid AC-DC grids. In the first step, state estimation is executed independently for the AC and DC areas of the distribution system. The second step refines the estimation results by exchanging boundary quantities at the AC-DC converters. To this purpose, the modulation index and phase angle control of the AC-DC converters are integrated into the second step of the proposed state estimation formulation. This allows providing additional inputs to the state estimation algorithm, which eventually leads to improve the accuracy of the state estimation results. Simulations on a sample AC-DC distribution grid are performed to highlight the benefits resulting from the integration of these converter control parameters for the estimation of both the AC and DC grid quantities.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramanuja Panigrahi ◽  
Santanu Mishra ◽  
Suresh C. Srivastava ◽  
Prasad Enjeti

<em>Realizing a smart Low Voltage Distribution System (LVDS) is essential to realize a smart grid. Restructuring the existing distribution system into microgrids is one important requirement to achieve a smart LVDS. The realization of microgrids in LVDS can take different shapes in different countries. This article discusses the challenges and practical solutions to realize a smart LVDS for radial distribution grids, which are common in India. The network following a distribution transformer can be distinguished as a microgrid for radial low voltage distribution grids. However, this leads to many operational issues. Therefore, this article envisions replacing the Low Voltage distribution transformers with <a>Solid-State Transformers </a>(SSTs). This will enable the LVDS to control the power exchange between the phases within a microgrid as well as power exchange between different microgrids. The architectural design of a smart home in smart LVDS is outlined to complete the discussion. Various unique features required for smart inverters in a smart home and existing grid codes to make them compatible with smart LVDS are also reviewed.</em><i></i>


Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 2191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juyong Kim ◽  
Hongjoo Kim ◽  
Jintae Cho ◽  
Youngpyo Cho

This paper describes the design and field application of a high-efficiency single-phase AC/DC converter that is suitable for distribution lines. First, an appropriate AC/DC converter was designed in consideration of the environment of the application system. In order to ensure high efficiency and high reliability, we designed an optimum switching element and capacitor suitable for the converter, and the protection element of the AC/DC converter was designed based on these elements. The control function for the power converter suitable for an LVDC distribution system is proposed for highly reliable operation. The AC/DC converter was manufactured based on the design and its performance was verified during application in an actual low-voltage DC (LVDC) distribution grid through tests at the demonstration site. The application to a DC distribution system in an actual grid is very rare and it is expected that it will contribute to the expansion of LVDC distribution.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 3442
Author(s):  
Fábio Retorta ◽  
João Aguiar ◽  
Igor Rezende ◽  
José Villar ◽  
Bernardo Silva

This paper proposes a near to real-time local market to provide reactive power to the transmission system operator (TSO), using the resources connected to a distribution grid managed by a distribution system operator (DSO). The TSO publishes a requested reactive power profile at the TSO-DSO interface for each time-interval of the next delivery period, so that market agents (managing resources of the distribution grid) can prepare and send their bids accordingly. DSO resources are the first to be mobilized, and the remaining residual reactive power is supplied by the reactive power flexibility offered in the local reactive market. Complex bids (with non-curtailability conditions) are supported to provide flexible ways of bidding fewer flexible assets (such as capacitor banks). An alternating current (AC) optimal power flow (OPF) is used to clear the bids by maximizing the social welfare to supply the TSO required reactive power profile, subject to the DSO grid constraints. A rolling window mechanism allows a continuous dispatching of reactive power, and the possibility of adapting assigned schedules to real time constraints. A simplified TSO-DSO cost assignment of the flexible reactive power used is proposed to share for settlement purposes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joannes I. Laveyne ◽  
Dimitar Bozalakov ◽  
Greet Van Eetvelde ◽  
Lieven Vandevelde

In Belgium, and many other countries, rooftop solar panels are becoming a ubiquitous form of decentralised energy production. The increasing share of these distributed installations however imposes many challenges on the operators of the low-voltage distribution grid. They must keep the voltage levels and voltage balance on their grids in check and are often regulatory required to provide sufficient reception capacity for new power producing installations. By placing solar panels in different inclinations and azimuth angles, power production profiles can possibly be shifted to align more with residential power consumption profiles. In this article, it is investigated if the orientation of solar panels can have a mitigating impact on the integration problems on residential low voltage distribution grids. An improved simulation model of a solar panel installation is constructed, which is used to simulate the impact on a residential distribution grid. To stay as close to real-life conditions as possible, real irradiation data and a model of an existing grid are used. Both the developed model as the results on grid impact are evaluated.


Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 4016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Rösch ◽  
Peter Treffinger

With the growing share of renewable energies in the electricity supply, transmission and distribution grids have to be adapted. A profound understanding of the structural characteristics of distribution grids is essential to define suitable strategies for grid expansion. Many countries have a large number of distribution system operators (DSOs) whose standards vary widely, which contributes to coordination problems during peak load hours. This study contributes to targeted distribution grid development by classifying DSOs according to their remuneration requirement. To examine the amendment potential, structural and grid development data from 109 distribution grids in South-Western Germany, are collected, referring to publications of the respective DSOs. The resulting data base is assessed statistically to identify clusters of DSOs according to the fit of demographic requirements and grid-construction status and thus identify development needs to enable a broader use of regenerative energy resources. Three alternative algorithms are explored to manage this task. The study finds the novel Gauss-Newton algorithm optimal to analyse the fit of grid conditions to regional requirements and successfully identifies grids with remuneration needs. It is superior to the so far used K-Means algorithm. The method developed here is transferable to other areas for grid analysis and targeted, cost-efficient development.


Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikoleta Andreadou ◽  
Evangelos Kotsakis ◽  
Marcelo Masera

The modernization of the distribution grid requires a huge amount of data to be transmitted and handled by the network. The deployment of Advanced Metering Infrastructure systems results in an increased traffic generated by smart meters. In this work, we examine the smart meter traffic that needs to be accommodated by a real distribution system. Parameters such as the message size and the message transmission frequency are examined and their effect on traffic is showed. Limitations of the system are presented, such as the buffer capacity needs and the maximum message size that can be communicated. For this scope, we have used the parameters of a real distribution network, based on a survey at which the European Distribution System Operators (DSOs) have participated. For the smart meter traffic, we have used two popular specifications, namely the G3-PLC–“G3 Power Line communication” and PRIME–acronym for “PoweRline Intelligent Metering Evolution”, to simulate the characteristics of a system that is widely used in practice. The results can be an insight for further development of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems that control and monitor the Low Voltage (LV) distribution grid. The paper presents an analysis towards identifying the needs of distribution networks with respect to telecommunication data as well as the main parameters that can affect the Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) system performance. Identifying such parameters is consequently beneficial to designing more efficient ICT systems for Advanced Metering Infrastructure.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1891
Author(s):  
Jessica Hermanns ◽  
Marcel Modemann ◽  
Kamil Korotkiewicz ◽  
Frederik Paulat ◽  
Kevin Kotthaus ◽  
...  

The number of renewable energy systems is still increasing. To reduce the worldwide CO2 emissions, there will be even more challenges in the distribution grids like currently upcoming charging stations or heat pumps. All these new electric systems in the low voltage (LV) and medium voltage (MV) levels are characterized by an unsteady behavior. To monitor and predict the behavior of these new flexible systems, a grid state forecast is needed. This software tool calculates wind, photovoltaic, and load forecasts. These power forecasts are already in the focus of research, but there are some specific use cases, which require a more specific solution. To get a variously applicable software tool, different new functions to improve an already existing grid state forecast tool were developed and evaluated. For example, it will be proofed if a grid state forecast tool can be improved by calculating the number or the base load of the loads in grid areas by just one available measurement. Another big subject exists in the exchange of forecast information between different voltage levels. How this can be realized and how big the effect on the forecast quality is, will be analyzed. The results of these evaluations will be shown in this paper.


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