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This paper focuses on the energy storage system and the power electronic interface included in microsources of the CERTS microgrid. CERTS stands for the Consortium for Electric Reliability Technology Solutions. The consortium was formed in 1999 to research, develop, and disseminate new methods, tools, and technologies to protect and enhance the reliability of the U.S. electric power system and efficiency of competitive electricity markets. To provide the plug-and-play feature and the power quality requirements of the CERTS microgrid, all microsources regardless of their prime mover type must have a unified dynamic performance. This necessitates attaching an energy storage module to some or all of the microsources. The storage module is attached to the prime mover through a power electronic interface that couples the microsource to the microgrid. Details of the energy storage module, the power electronic interface and the corresponding controls are described. Performance of an example microsource, which includes a synchronous generator, a storage module and an electronic interface, is studied. Dynamic performance of the example microsource when operating in the CERTS microgrid is evaluated based on digital time-domain simulations in the EMTP-RV software environment. Effectiveness of the storage module, the electronic interface and the corresponding controls in enhancing the microsource performance is verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the validation of a numerical model based on the full-scale broken insulator tests on a 138-kV high-voltage steel transmission line. The University of Wisconsin and the Electric Power Research Institute performed these tests in 1978. A finite-element model of the line is developed to perform incremental nonlinear dynamic analysis, carried out in the time domain. Upon validation of the numerical model with the test results, a sensitivity study is carried out for various insulator lengths, ice thicknesses, and initial tensions to determine the effects of these parameters on the impact loads on the tower cross arm. Results of the study show that the impact loads are less sensitive to the change in insulator length but they do vary significantly when the ice loads and the initial tensions are increased. Studies of this type are now possible and are cost effective because of the use of commercial software not available at the time of the original research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the installation of the Dynamic Voltage Restorer on United States-based Duke Power Co. utility to protect a customer plant load from power system voltage disturbances. Series interconnection; High power test; Operating experience; Interconnection with utility distribution feeder; Voltage sag; Series insertion; Power quality.

Discloses the results of the two surveys on electric power industry's distribution reliability measurement practices in the United States. Pitfalls associated with comparing reliability indices between electric utilities; Causes of an outage and equipment failures; Application of the System Average Interruption Frequency Index and the System Average Interruption Duration Index.