Date of Graduation

5-2019

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (PhD)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Electrical Engineering

Advisor/Mentor

McCann, Roy A.

Committee Member

Balda, Juan C.

Second Committee Member

Ang, Simon S.

Third Committee Member

Pohl, Edward A.

Keywords

Control; FACTS devices; HVDC links; Reliability; Renewable Energy Resources; Stability

Abstract

Increased generation capacity from non-dispatchable energy resources such as wind and solar has created challenges to ensuring the reliable delivery of electric power. This research develops a systematic three-step method of assessing the reliability of electric power systems under a variety of different possible fault conditions to ensure that overall system stability is preserved in a manner the meets regulatory requirements. The first step is a risk-based reliability method (RBRM) that accounts for the probability of a line outage versus the severity of impact. This allows system planners to judiciously allocate expenses for reliability improvements based on the greatest economic benefit. The second approach is the synchrophasor validation method (SVM) which allows system planners and analysis to develop accurate models of electric power system behavior. This improves the decision making capability for implementing new system designs and equipment choices. The third new area is the development of norm-based wide-area control methods that optimize system stability and reliability based on the statistical characteristics found in the first two steps. This norm-based approach includes calculating optimal values for parameters of flexible ac transmission system (FACTS) devices and high voltage direct current (HVDC) links in order to have results within the regulatory requirements of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). Power flow and frequency criteria are used to verify conformance with the regulations. These criteria are evaluated under N-1-1 conditions in two reduced order models to demonstrate the ability of the norm-based wide-area controller to maintain performance of these systems within acceptable ranges. The obtained simulation results confirm the benefits of the proposed technique in meeting regulatory requirements under conditions of N-1-1 contingencies in electric power systems with large amounts of renewable energy resources.

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