Real-time simulation for stability, control and protection studies of offshore power grids

• Grant number: 22/02924-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Initial Project
• Duration: February 01, 2023 - January 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Power Systems
• Principal Investigator: Renato Machado Monaro
• Grantee: Renato Machado Monaro
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Alfeu Joãozinho Sguarezi Filho ; Derick Furquim Pereira ; Gilney Damm ; José Roberto Cardoso ; Luis Felipe Normandia Lourenço ; Mauricio Barbosa de Camargo Salles ; Miguel Jiménez Carrizosa ; Rodolfo Varraschim Rocha

Abstract

The offshore exploration of oil and natural gas, which significantly contributes to the national energy matrix, is carried out on platforms. Such platforms operate in island mode, and the electrical energy supply to keep the operation of onboard processes is done by gas turbine systems arranged on them. The gas generators' operational process results in considerable emissions of greenhouse gases by the oil sector, which has motivated studies about alternatives to reduce those emissions. The most promising solutions are transmission lines to connect to the power system onshore, wind generators associated with energy storage systems, and ships called power hubs. However, those alternatives imply operational challenges from the system's energetic, electrical, and dynamic perspectives. In this context, this project aims to evaluate the technical demands for some offshore power grid topologies. Therefore, real-time simulations will be carried out with physical converters and electrical machines inserted in the simulation loop. As a result, it is expected to enumerate the requirements for technical feasibility analysis of some offshore electrical network topologies, raise mathematical models of these networks for control and stability studies, propose specific control algorithms for each one, determine the protection requirements against electrical faults, and propose particular protection algorithms. Through real-time simulations, it is guaranteed that these products will be applicable in real systems. (AU)