2018 IEEE/PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition (T&D), 2018
Solar power availability is intermitent and must be accompanied by an energy storage system (ESS)... more Solar power availability is intermitent and must be accompanied by an energy storage system (ESS). Hence, a strategy is needed to combine the use of grid power, solar power, and ESS power to minimize the total cost of energy. A solution to this problem is proposed here as Advanced Optimal Resource Allocation (AORA). This control scheme uses the prediction of solar power availability, the real-time price of energy, and levelized costs of energy for both solar power and ESS to optimally combine the use of the power sources. Simulation results are presented for a 24 h prediction window and compared with a baseline power usage scheme that is based on a fixed charging and discharging schedule for the ESS. The comparison shows that AORA results in a substantial cost savings over the baseline scheme.
IEEE Power and Energy Technology Systems Journal, 2019
This paper proposes a novel control solution designed to solve the local and grid-connected distr... more This paper proposes a novel control solution designed to solve the local and grid-connected distributed energy resources (DERs) management problem by developing a generalizable framework capable of controlling DERs based on forecasted values and real-time energy prices. The proposed model uses sampling-based model predictive control (SBMPC), together with the real-time price of energy and forecasts of PV and load power, to allocate the dispatch of the available distributed energy resources (DERs) while minimizing the overall cost. The strategy developed aims to find the ideal combination of solar, grid, and energy storage (ES) power with the objective of minimizing the total cost of energy of the entire system. Both offline and controller hardware-in-the-loop (CHIL) results are presented for a 7-day test case scenario and compared with two manual base test cases and four baseline optimization algorithms (Genetic Algorithm (GA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Quadratic Programming interior-point method (QP-IP), and Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP)) designed to solve the optimization problem considering the current status of the system and also its future states. The proposed model uses a 24-hour prediction horizon with a 15-minute control horizon. The results demonstrate substantial cost and execution time savings when compared to the other baseline control algorithms.
... VIII. BIOGRAPHIES Thamer S. Alquthami received his BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering ... more ... VIII. BIOGRAPHIES Thamer S. Alquthami received his BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia in 2005. He worked for SABIC for two years. He is a research assistant at the Center ...
A Florida utility feeder with a high penetration level of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation was ... more A Florida utility feeder with a high penetration level of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation was modeled in RTDS/RSCAD. The feeder model was validated by comparing the results in different simulation tools, and using field measurements and short circuit data provided by the utility. The feeder has 2.6 MW of PV which is approximately 30% penetration (comparing with peak load). The feeder has a step voltage regulator (SVR) and 4 switched capacitor banks (SCB's) installed to regulate voltage. Studies were conducted to analyze feeder voltage characteristic for the existing circuit configuration and operating scenarios. Additional studies were conducted to determine the potential impact of additional PV penetration that might happen in the future. Validation results show full agreement with the software based validation and a reasonably acceptable match with the field data collected from different locations on the feeder.
This paper discusses the impacts and interactions of voltage regulation devices on systems with h... more This paper discusses the impacts and interactions of voltage regulation devices on systems with high PV penetration under different solar conditions and voltage control algorithms. The study is done using a tool that was developed under a Department of Energy (DOE) funded project, Sunshine State Grid Initiative (SUNGRIN). The tool is composed of Matlab scripts and functions that use a Component Object Model (COM) interface to communicate with the Open Distribution System Simulator (OpenDSS) developed by EPRI. The tool is applied in this paper to analyze and study the dynamic interaction between voltage regulation devices in a distribution network, and the impacts that photovoltaic (PV) systems have on the operation of these devices in the network. A real feeder from a Florida-based utility has been used to perform this study with different incident solar radiation (insolation) scenarios. Case studies show the difference in the activity of the voltage regulating devices with the variation of PV power injection to the grid. The case studies also investigate the impacts of allowing PV systems to participate in voltage regulation using different algorithms.
ABSTRACT This paper investigates the impacts of PV interconnection on the protection systems of a... more ABSTRACT This paper investigates the impacts of PV interconnection on the protection systems of a distribution network, especially when power flow is reversed in high penetration scenarios. A Florida based substation and its six-feeders were selected for the study. The system was slightly modified to make it a notional system that still closely represents the actual system behavior from the point of view of system protection. The main modification is in the representations of loads, where all the loads were represented by fewer aggregated loads on each feeder. One of the feeders is 9 miles long and has a 12.6 MW (AC) PV plant connected to the primary side of the feeder at a distance of 4.8 miles from the substation. The feeder has an average load of approximately 11 MVA that makes it a contender for a high penetration (more than 100%) feeder when PV reaches its peak generation. The model of the entire substation, its feeders and protection system has been built using a high fidelity transient simulation tool RSCAD. Initial simulation results indicate that if protection devices are coordinated properly, a reverse power flow does not create any nuisance trip or malfunction of the protection system. However, based on the location of the PV plant with respect to the fault, slight change in the trip time of the time-overcurrent relays was observed.
IECON 2011 - 37th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society, 2011
This paper describes advanced power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) facilities and experience gained ... more This paper describes advanced power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) facilities and experience gained in testing laboratory prototypes. The benefits of subjecting equipment to simulated environments include increased flexibility in designing, implementing, and executing experiments that reflect situations as close as possible to real world conditions. Individual test scenarios can be quickly configured and adapted once the device under test is connected, as only changes in software models need to be accommodated. Consequently, the required time and financial expenses associated with experimentation and testing are reduced. Further, the risk of late and costly changes due to specifications and design choices can be avoided as thorough and realistic tests can be performed earlier in the development cycle and before actual installation and deployment in the field. And, PHIL testing reveals how equipment will interact with the system for which it is being targeted in a way that more conventional non-interactive testing approaches cannot. As an example, the described PHIL capabilities can be used to derisk technology envisioned for realizing smart(er) grids.
2018 IEEE/PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition (T&D), 2018
Solar power availability is intermitent and must be accompanied by an energy storage system (ESS)... more Solar power availability is intermitent and must be accompanied by an energy storage system (ESS). Hence, a strategy is needed to combine the use of grid power, solar power, and ESS power to minimize the total cost of energy. A solution to this problem is proposed here as Advanced Optimal Resource Allocation (AORA). This control scheme uses the prediction of solar power availability, the real-time price of energy, and levelized costs of energy for both solar power and ESS to optimally combine the use of the power sources. Simulation results are presented for a 24 h prediction window and compared with a baseline power usage scheme that is based on a fixed charging and discharging schedule for the ESS. The comparison shows that AORA results in a substantial cost savings over the baseline scheme.
IEEE Power and Energy Technology Systems Journal, 2019
This paper proposes a novel control solution designed to solve the local and grid-connected distr... more This paper proposes a novel control solution designed to solve the local and grid-connected distributed energy resources (DERs) management problem by developing a generalizable framework capable of controlling DERs based on forecasted values and real-time energy prices. The proposed model uses sampling-based model predictive control (SBMPC), together with the real-time price of energy and forecasts of PV and load power, to allocate the dispatch of the available distributed energy resources (DERs) while minimizing the overall cost. The strategy developed aims to find the ideal combination of solar, grid, and energy storage (ES) power with the objective of minimizing the total cost of energy of the entire system. Both offline and controller hardware-in-the-loop (CHIL) results are presented for a 7-day test case scenario and compared with two manual base test cases and four baseline optimization algorithms (Genetic Algorithm (GA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Quadratic Programming interior-point method (QP-IP), and Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP)) designed to solve the optimization problem considering the current status of the system and also its future states. The proposed model uses a 24-hour prediction horizon with a 15-minute control horizon. The results demonstrate substantial cost and execution time savings when compared to the other baseline control algorithms.
... VIII. BIOGRAPHIES Thamer S. Alquthami received his BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering ... more ... VIII. BIOGRAPHIES Thamer S. Alquthami received his BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia in 2005. He worked for SABIC for two years. He is a research assistant at the Center ...
A Florida utility feeder with a high penetration level of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation was ... more A Florida utility feeder with a high penetration level of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation was modeled in RTDS/RSCAD. The feeder model was validated by comparing the results in different simulation tools, and using field measurements and short circuit data provided by the utility. The feeder has 2.6 MW of PV which is approximately 30% penetration (comparing with peak load). The feeder has a step voltage regulator (SVR) and 4 switched capacitor banks (SCB's) installed to regulate voltage. Studies were conducted to analyze feeder voltage characteristic for the existing circuit configuration and operating scenarios. Additional studies were conducted to determine the potential impact of additional PV penetration that might happen in the future. Validation results show full agreement with the software based validation and a reasonably acceptable match with the field data collected from different locations on the feeder.
This paper discusses the impacts and interactions of voltage regulation devices on systems with h... more This paper discusses the impacts and interactions of voltage regulation devices on systems with high PV penetration under different solar conditions and voltage control algorithms. The study is done using a tool that was developed under a Department of Energy (DOE) funded project, Sunshine State Grid Initiative (SUNGRIN). The tool is composed of Matlab scripts and functions that use a Component Object Model (COM) interface to communicate with the Open Distribution System Simulator (OpenDSS) developed by EPRI. The tool is applied in this paper to analyze and study the dynamic interaction between voltage regulation devices in a distribution network, and the impacts that photovoltaic (PV) systems have on the operation of these devices in the network. A real feeder from a Florida-based utility has been used to perform this study with different incident solar radiation (insolation) scenarios. Case studies show the difference in the activity of the voltage regulating devices with the variation of PV power injection to the grid. The case studies also investigate the impacts of allowing PV systems to participate in voltage regulation using different algorithms.
ABSTRACT This paper investigates the impacts of PV interconnection on the protection systems of a... more ABSTRACT This paper investigates the impacts of PV interconnection on the protection systems of a distribution network, especially when power flow is reversed in high penetration scenarios. A Florida based substation and its six-feeders were selected for the study. The system was slightly modified to make it a notional system that still closely represents the actual system behavior from the point of view of system protection. The main modification is in the representations of loads, where all the loads were represented by fewer aggregated loads on each feeder. One of the feeders is 9 miles long and has a 12.6 MW (AC) PV plant connected to the primary side of the feeder at a distance of 4.8 miles from the substation. The feeder has an average load of approximately 11 MVA that makes it a contender for a high penetration (more than 100%) feeder when PV reaches its peak generation. The model of the entire substation, its feeders and protection system has been built using a high fidelity transient simulation tool RSCAD. Initial simulation results indicate that if protection devices are coordinated properly, a reverse power flow does not create any nuisance trip or malfunction of the protection system. However, based on the location of the PV plant with respect to the fault, slight change in the trip time of the time-overcurrent relays was observed.
IECON 2011 - 37th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society, 2011
This paper describes advanced power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) facilities and experience gained ... more This paper describes advanced power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) facilities and experience gained in testing laboratory prototypes. The benefits of subjecting equipment to simulated environments include increased flexibility in designing, implementing, and executing experiments that reflect situations as close as possible to real world conditions. Individual test scenarios can be quickly configured and adapted once the device under test is connected, as only changes in software models need to be accommodated. Consequently, the required time and financial expenses associated with experimentation and testing are reduced. Further, the risk of late and costly changes due to specifications and design choices can be avoided as thorough and realistic tests can be performed earlier in the development cycle and before actual installation and deployment in the field. And, PHIL testing reveals how equipment will interact with the system for which it is being targeted in a way that more conventional non-interactive testing approaches cannot. As an example, the described PHIL capabilities can be used to derisk technology envisioned for realizing smart(er) grids.
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