Methodologies for assessment of emerging power quality impacts on modern power distribution systems

• Grant number: 14/09538-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2014
• End date: December 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Power Systems
• Principal Investigator: Walmir de Freitas Filho
• Grantee: Ricardo Torquato Borges
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de Computação (FEEC). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 10/01690-2 - Technological development for protection, analysis, supervision and automation of electrical power systems of the future, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 16/20157-0 - Integration of low-carbon technologies for improving power quality indices of modern power distribution system, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Modern power distribution systems (MPDS) are migrating from a passive, non-supervised structure to an active, supervised structure due to the introduction of distributed generators, distributed metering and monitoring devices, new types of loads, such as electrical vehicles and modern electronics appliances, and energy storage devices. Such changes are not limited to the utility system (e.g., extensive network monitoring), but also extended to customer devices (e.g., modern power electronic based appliances, photovoltaic generators, electric vehicles). In spite of many technical (e.g., loss reduction, energy efficiency improvement) and environmental (e.g., reduction on air pollution) advantages, these developments may potentially create a number of new adverse power quality (PQ) impacts on distribution systems. Examples of new (still unaddressed) PQ impacts are the increased emission of high-frequency harmonics by power electronic based appliances; the neutral to earth voltage rise due to the connection of large unbalanced loads (e.g., electric vehicles); voltage fluctuation due to intermittent photovoltaic power output, etc. The above scenario has drawn the attention of distribution utilities around the world, especially due to the lack of information on how to evaluate and manage these new PQ concerns. In such context, the main goal of this Ph.D. project is to develop methods for a comprehensive characterization of the new PQ issues and determine the extension of their impacts on MPDS. To achieve such goal, methodologies will be developed to assess and understand each PQ issue based on simulation and analytical studies as well as on laboratory and field measurements. The development of these methodologies and full characterization of the new PQ impacts will help utilities significantly narrow down the scope of troubleshooting strategies, establish responsibilities for the parties involved and mitigate eventual adverse impacts on the network. It is important to highlight that part of this research will be developed in collaboration with the power system research group led by Prof. Wilsun Xu (IEEE Fellow and expert on power quality research) at the University of Alberta (UofA). This collaboration, besides strategic support, will allow the candidate to access a large set of field and laboratory measurements to be used in this project. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

TORQUATO, RICARDO; SALLES, DIOGO; PEREIRA, CAIO ORIENTE; MAGALHAES MEIRA, PAULO CESAR; FREITAS, WALMIR. A Comprehensive Assessment of PV Hosting Capacity on Low-Voltage Distribution Systems. IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, v. 33, n. 2, p. 1002-1012, APR 2018. (16/23754-9, 16/20157-0, 14/09538-6)

CUNHA, VINICIUS C.; TORQUATO, RICARDO; RICCIARDI, TIAGO R.; FREITAS, WALMIR; VENKATESH, BALA; IEEE. Assessing Energy Storage Potential to Facilitate the Increased Penetration of Photovoltaic Generators and Electric Vehicles in Distribution Networks. 2017 IEEE POWER & ENERGY SOCIETY GENERAL MEETING, v. N/A, p. 5-pg., 2017-01-01. (14/09538-6)

VIDANALAGE, ISURU; SABILLON, CARLOS; VENKATESH, BALA; TORQUATO, RICARDO; FREITAS, WALMIR; IEEE. Scheduling of Merchant-Owned EV Charging at a Charging Facility with Multiple Chargers. 2018 IEEE ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY CONFERENCE (EPEC), v. N/A, p. 6-pg., 2018-01-01. (18/08008-4, 14/09538-6, 16/20157-0)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

BORGES, Ricardo Torquato. Metodologias para análise de impactos emergentes na qualidade de energia dos modernos sistemas de distribuição de energia elétrica. 2017. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de Computação Campinas, SP.